U.K. Health Minister Wes Streeting has resigned, calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow suit and pave the way for the election of a new leader for the powerful Labour Party.
Streeting’s move was expected after dozens of members of the House of Commons and several cabinet members in lesser positions called on Starmer to resign in recent days. Streeting is considered one of Labour’s leadership candidates and is backed by the party’s right wing.
He announced his resignation from the cabinet a day after Starmer made it clear he would not step down despite intensifying calls for his resignation.
Commentators point out that Streeting did not run for office outright, which would likely have led to a party leader’s choice of two candidates, his and Starmer’s. Instead, he has called for a wide-ranging discussion and an election some time later. That could persuade supporters of another potential candidate for Labour leader, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, to also back Starmer’s resignation.
The crisis in the British government stems from Labour’s failure in recent local elections. They lost the leadership in England to Nigel Farage’s populist Reform Party, in Scotland and Wales to local national parties, and in parts of the cities to the Greens, who criticise them from left-wing positions.
Starmer’s supporters believe his sacking could lead to an early election and a Farage victory, and insist that the prime minister should stay in office for the full term.