I think Wes Streeting is the fresh direction Labour needs now

[WesStreetingForPM]

Name changed because we are at a pivotal point in our lifetimes, and my focus now needs to be on this.

I do think Starmer is a decent man, but Labour risks being wiped out entirely if he stays in charge. I see this in my own family and community.

We need a change of direction and a fresh face who can actually connect and get things done. For me, and I feel for those around me, that person is Wes Streeting.

He’s done a solid job as Health Secretary in tough circumstances. He’s pragmatic, articulate and not afraid of reform where it’s needed (which is exactly what the NHS requires). He comes from a genuine working-class background - council estate and free school meals - so he understands real life in a way some career politicians don’t. He can talk about aspiration, responsibility and actually winning elections in a way most career politicians simply cannot.

And yes, I’ll say it - the fact that he’s an openly gay man is a massive positive. It shows progress and that someone can reach the top on merit while being open about who they are. Representation matters!

Wes feels like the candidate who could actually win the next election and deliver.

I would love to see Mumsnet unite behind Wes - who I think would make a fantastic Prime Minister.

I doubt me posting support for Wes Streeting is going to bring down the government!

Isn't the problem for Labour at the moment the poll ratings and election results?

He seems a very decent man to me

Exactly. I’m pretty disgusted the OP (who obviously works for Wes) coming onto Netmums canvassing for support for him coming out with so many lies about his so called successes.

Wes Streeting and the other potential challengers should be keeping their powder dry and knuckling down with the business of government. Labour have an excellent majority and there's plenty of actual work to be done before campaigning for the next election starts, and a change of leader now will just remind everyone about how similar to the infighting of the Tories this looks.

Setting out a timetable just hands ammunition to the opposition. They need to act like grownups and demonstrate how people who are more focused on helping the whole country rather than building their personal power-base should behave. Getting a thrashing in the local elections is entirely normal and expected for any party that is currently holding Westminster during a time when there are a lot of difficulties in the world that don't have easy solutions

They should unite behind Starmer and do their jobs. He's not an idiot and he knows that a more charismatic leader will need to take over eventually but that should be seen to happen at a time of calm and rational planning not the kneejerk panic-reaction that we saw giving us 5 prime ministers in the space of 6 years under the Tories.

All that will happen if the next Leadership Contest happens too early (which it is now) will be that the next leader wastes their honeymoon period long before the next election ramps up.

I would like to see Lammy as leader one day ??

Now you're just taking the piss

Your OP reads as a Labour SPAD trying to test the Mumsnet waters in terms of Streeting's popularity.

It's a no from me.

Nope.

Apart from his misogynistic and violent past tweets, he has a tiny majority.

But anyway, this deck shuffling makes for good drama I suppose but ultimately it doesn't really matter who becomes the new leader of the Labour Party. A true and honest left party has emerged from the smouldering ruins of the centrist establishment and they did pretty well in the local elections. Zack Polanski is the figurehead we all need to unite behind to defeat the far right. Anybody worth their salt should be looking to defect to the Green's in the coming months.

Hi Wes 👋.

my question is - what is We Streeting supposed to be able to do that’s any better? He will still have the same obstructive back bench and the same shitty economic climate and the same nutcases abroad to deal with as Kier Starmer. Anyone expecting a miracles is completely deluded.

plus ça change.

(I believe Wes is a massive Pet Shop Boys fan)

Together we will go our way
He’ll lead us to a brighter day
From the East End streets he rose
Now he’s fighting for the NHS

Working class boy, Cambridge grad
Openly gay and proudly out
He’s got the brains, he’s got the heart
This is where our future starts

Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Life is better there
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
No more despair
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Reform is in the air
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
He’s the leader who really cares!

He ended all the doctors’ strikes
Extra appointments, real results
Pragmatic, sharp, and not afraid
This is the change that we all crave

Starmer tried, now pass the flame
Time for Wes to stake his claim
From council estate to Number Ten
Let’s make Britain great again

Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Life is better there
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Hope is everywhere
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Future looking fair
Go Wes! (Go Wes!)
Take us forward, take us there!

There where the waiting lists fall
There where the country stands tall
There where real change begins
Go Wes — let’s let him win!

Go Wes! Go Wes!
He’s the one we need!
Go Wes! Go Wes!
Plant the Labour seed!
Go Wes! Go Wes!
Come on everybody sing
Go Wes! Go Wes!
Let the whole country sing!

Agree. They don't need "fresh faces", they need to grow the fuck up and get on with the job.

Looks like they're determined to hound Starmer out and cause another period of instability, though. Because that went so well when the last government kept doing it.

The guy that wants to give puberty blockers to children to appease paraphilic men?
No thanks.

Wtf 🤣

This is spot on

Nearly brought my breakfast up, thanks OP.

The choice of a Pet Shop Boys song is v amusing. Well done OP.

Name changed because we are at a pivotal point in our lifetimes, and my focus now needs to be on this

That sounds very highfalutin - what does it mean?

This is absolutely insane.

Well he did a great job with the junior doctors, massive pay rise which alienated the rest of the NHS and they still striking, corridor care through the roof, dentistry non existent, still the 8am scramble for GP appointments, ye,he’s done a fantastic job

Are you okay, OP? Do you need us to call someone for you?

You must be taking the piss. If you're not then I am truly baffled. He's better because he's LGBT? You want David Lammy to be pm?

End junior doctor strikes? Really? Do you not realise that they are still striking, the last strike being last month?!!! He gave them a ‘no strings attached’ whopping pay rise, and they are still striking!!

Wes is a career politician with a tendency to throw a strop when things get tough. Witness his behaviour when doctors don't do his bidding and the catastrophic mess he has made of pharmaceutical price negotiations which have cost the UK billions in lost investments. He is entirely unsuitable to be PM.

Absolute bollocks. This is straight from Wes Streeting HQ.

McSweeney & Mandelson had a plan and their plan was Wes. Starmer was only in place to allow them to smash the left, he wasn’t supppsed to win the last election but his role being a placeholder would have been executed, he would then resign leaving the road clear for Wes in 2029.

Wes Streeting is bought and paid for by US private health, Mandelson’s fingerprints are all over him. I would not trust Wes Streeting as far as I could throw him. And if the Labour members seriously think he is their best hope,…hello Mr Farage welcome to No.10.

If Labour get rid of Starmer for Streeting, they are done.

I am not sure OP is being serious, but your point about Mandelson could be Streeting's undoing in terms of his PM ambitions.