Wes Streeting Resigns, Calls for Keir Starmer’s Exit Amid Labour Turmoil

Since becoming prime minister in 2024, Labour leader Keir Starmer has seen his popularity fall to record-low levels, despite entering office with a historic parliamentary majority. Recent local elections and policy decisions – notably the cut to the winter-fuel allowance and the controversial “island of strangers” speech – have intensified internal criticism. Within this climate, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a figure on the party’s right, began privately canvassing MPs for support to challenge Starmer’s leadership.

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On 14 May 2026, Streeting submitted his resignation as health secretary, stating that remaining in post would be “dishonourable.” In his resignation letter he urged Starmer to step down, arguing that the party needed a broad leadership contest with candidates such as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Streeting emphasized that “the debate about what comes next” should be a “battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.”

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• Wes Streeting – Former health secretary, initiator of the resignation.

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• Keir Starmer – Prime minister and Labour leader, target of the resignation letter.

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• Andy Burnham – Potential leadership contender, would need a Westminster seat.

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• Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed, Alex Davies-Jones – Ministers who stood down alongside Streeting.

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• Melanie Ward, Joe Morris, Chris Curtis, Alan Gemmel, Jas Athwal – Backbenchers publicly calling for Starmer’s resignation.

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• Josh MacAlister – Minister who urged Starmer to set a resignation timetable.

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• Darren Jones – Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, who spent six hours persuading MPs about the leadership question.

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• Morning – Streeting meets Starmer for a 15-minute discussion; Starmer says he will fight any challenge.

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• Midday – Streeting submits resignation; allies Phillips, Ahmed and Davies-Jones resign from cabinet.

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• Afternoon – Streeting’s team contacts cabinet ministers; MacAlister tells Starmer to outline a timetable.

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• Evening – MPs debate Streeting’s support; reports suggest he lacks the 81-MP threshold required for an immediate challenge.

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• Night – Darren Jones holds extensive talks with MPs, promising to convey concerns to the prime minister.

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• Leadership challenge threshold: 81 Labour MPs must back a challenger.

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• Popularity: Starmer’s approval ratings are at a record low, though exact figures are not disclosed.

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• Historical note: A successful challenge would be the first to unseat a sitting Labour prime minister.

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Starmer publicly affirmed his intention to remain leader, stating he would “fight any challenge.” Streeting’s resignation letter condemned Starmer’s “heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices” and linked policy missteps to electoral decline. Minister Josh MacAlister urged Starmer to “set out a timetable to resign.” Chief Secretary Darren Jones told MPs he would “tell the PM their concerns,” signaling internal pressure for an orderly transition.

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Several unnamed MPs expressed doubt about Streeting’s ability to secure the required support, describing the situation as “instability” and noting that “a pool of MPs are just watching.” Others emphasized the need for “stability” and an “orderly timetable,” warning that endless public denouncements could damage party cohesion.

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Sources differ on whether Streeting has reached the 81-MP threshold; some MPs suggest he is short, while no definitive count is provided. Additionally, Starmer’s willingness to set a resignation timetable remains unclear.

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A leadership contest could reshape Labour’s direction ahead of the next general election, potentially altering the party’s policy platform and electoral prospects. The internal dispute also highlights broader tensions between the party’s centrist leadership and its right-leaning faction.

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• “Your heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.” — Wes Streeting, resignation letter

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• “Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords.” — Wes Streeting, resignation letter

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• “If they’ve led the party up the garden path, they won’t be forgiven for this instability.” — Unnamed MP

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• “Based on calls still being made to certain colleagues last night, I’d guess Wes is not at 81.” — Unnamed MP

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• “A pool of MPs are just watching: what is Wes going to do and what cabinet delegation will do? It’s not good for the party to have endless public calls denouncing the prime minister but that doesn’t mean we are happy with the status quo. The cabinet needs to talk sense.” — Unnamed MP

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• “Darren promised people he would tell the PM their concerns. I think some took from that he was agreeing the PM should not lead the party to the next election. Ultimately we need stability, and that comes from him setting out an orderly timetable.” — Unnamed MP

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Party insiders anticipate negotiations over a possible resignation timetable for Starmer and the formal opening of a leadership contest. Should Andy Burnham seek a Westminster seat, a by-election could become a pivotal factor in determining the field of candidates. The outcome will shape Labour’s strategy heading into the next national election.

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