Wes Streeting Calls for Bolder Labour Amid Rising Nationalism in First Post-Resignation Speech

On 20 May 2026, Wes Streeting, former health secretary, addressed the House of Commons after resigning from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet. He said he quit because the Labour government was “currently losing” the fight against populist nationalism and warned his bid to trigger a leadership contest fell short of support from 80-plus Labour MPs.

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Streeting warned that Reform UK, Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru have exploited nationalist sentiment, challenging Labour. He reiterated his view that the 2016 Brexit decision was a “damaging mistake” and argued that re-joining the EU would improve Britain’s position in a volatile global context.

The Guardian

Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North and former health secretary, is the key figure. Keir Starmer leads Labour. Reform UK, SNP and Plaid Cymru are nationalist challengers. Streeting also cited a Nigerian-born nurse in Newcastle and displaced families to illustrate patriotism.

The Guardian

Streeting warned the party’s cautious stance could “hand the keys of No 10 to Reform,” reshaping the right. He linked rising nationalism to breakdown of the social contract, noting young people’s burden from Covid-19, unaffordable housing and AI threats.

The Guardian

Streeting said his resignation reflected a belief that the Labour government was losing the battle against nationalism. He praised keeping UK out of the US-Israel war in Iran but called the approach “too cautious.” He urged Labour to “deliver real change” and prevent Reform UK gaining power.

The Guardian

Streeting labelled Reform UK a threat to values that “made this country great.” He described Scottish and Welsh nationalism as an “existential threat” to United Kingdom’s integrity and argued that patriotism has been “left to loudest voices and narrowest arguments.”

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• “Never waste a minute – that’s been my mantra in government, and it’s why I don’t believe our party has time to waste in government treading water,” — Wes Streeting, Former Health Secretary

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• “I left the government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism, and it is a fight that we are currently losing,” — Wes Streeting, Former Health Secretary

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• “The nurse from Nigeria is not the enemy of the factory worker in Newcastle. The family fleeing war is not responsible for the cost of living crisis. Division is the oldest trick in politics, and Britain deserves better than that.” — Wes Streeting, Former Health Secretary

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• “For the first time in our history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom. Scottish and Welsh nationalism represents an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom, and Reform UK represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great.” — Wes Streeting, Former Health Secretary

The Guardian