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Original poster

AIBU to predict Streeting will resign tomorrow & trigger leadership contest.

164 replies

Twiglets1 · 13/05/2026 11:36

Wes Streeting will reportedly resign as Health Secretary and trigger a leadership contest against Keir Starmer and it could be as soon as tomorrow.

Allies of Mr Streeting said he was “going to go for it” after he met the Prime Minister in Downing Street for just 16 minutes this morning.

A spokesman for the Health Secretary said he would not discuss his brief meeting with Sir Keir over fears it would overshadow the King’s Speech, which will take place later today at 11.40.

AIBU to assume that Streeting is in the final stages of preparing a coup for the Labour leadership and will very likely make his move tomorrow?

OP posts:
TooLittleTooLate2 · 13/05/2026 12:39

the80sweregreat · 13/05/2026 12:32

Wes Streeting has always denied everything to do with wanting the top job and often been the PM’s biggest cheerleader in the past. Goes to show how brutal politics is and how so many of them are just self serving. Doesn’t surprise me at all. Don’t trust any of them really.

That's not true. He has said that he will be ready to launch a leadership bid should the position become available. He has been pretty open about that.

The past two years have been shambolic. Labour had a chance to unite us as a country and have failed dismally. I think Streeting is the most credible option but remains to be seen if Labour Party members would support him as more likely to go further to the left and cement themselves as a one term government

stuckdownahole · 13/05/2026 12:39

MaybeNotBob · 13/05/2026 11:40

If the Labour party think Wes Streeting is the answer, they're asking the wrong question...

Commentators are always telling us there are three factions in Labour: the Labour right (centrists), the soft left and the hard left (Campaign Group / formerly called "Corbynites")

Burnham, Rayner and Ed Miliband are soft left. Starmer, Streeting and Mahmood are Labour right.

I can see the point of replacing Starmer, but I can't see the point of them replacing him with someone who will have the exact same policies but can do a slightly more convincing impression of a human being. And I would describe myself politically as Labour right!

Restlessdreams1994 · 13/05/2026 12:38

He has to find 81 MPs willing to back him first.

HRTQueen · 13/05/2026 12:37

Unfortunately it appears to be going this way

I would rather Starmer stay for now, and hand over to Andy Burnham who I believe would appeal to more voters in the next GE and be able to handle the left of the party better, as they will continue to cause issues for the leader of the party unless Labour stupidly move to the left again

the80sweregreat · 13/05/2026 12:35

The press will find some kind of smear on Wes Streeting ( Mandelson) and he won’t last too long if he is successful. I doubt that he will be, but depends if he decides to go ahead with this leadership challenge or not.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 13/05/2026 12:34

YANBU this will happen.

the80sweregreat · 13/05/2026 12:32

Wes Streeting has always denied everything to do with wanting the top job and often been the PM’s biggest cheerleader in the past. Goes to show how brutal politics is and how so many of them are just self serving. Doesn’t surprise me at all. Don’t trust any of them really.

Boomer55 · 13/05/2026 12:31

Unless they can find a credible candidate, then best sticking with what they’ve got.

Rayner or Streeting would last a matter of a few months. 🙄

tttigress · 13/05/2026 12:30

To me he seems to be the best of a bad bunch.

Rayner would be a disaster.

Burnham would also be bad (his hype seems to be media generated) plus he doesn't have a seat.

MissMoneyFairy · 13/05/2026 12:28

Where has this been reported or suggested if no details of their meeting have been released

SpringsOnTheWay · 13/05/2026 12:28

Never trusted him. Couldn’t put my finger on why, but always got untrustworthy vibes from him.

the80sweregreat · 13/05/2026 12:27

I don’t feel that he has enough support really. I doubt that anything will happen.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 13/05/2026 12:23

MaybeNotBob · 13/05/2026 11:40

If the Labour party think Wes Streeting is the answer, they're asking the wrong question...

I don’t really agree with Starmer having to go.

But if he does - Streeting seems to be the best of the available options?

OP posts:
MaybeNotBob · 13/05/2026 11:40

If the Labour party think Wes Streeting is the answer, they're asking the wrong question...

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