To think Wes Streeting would make a good PM?

[MorningLarkEchoes]

I’ve been thinking about this on and off for a while and was surprised when my mum turned around and said the same thing to me the other day so it’s made me wonder if others feel the same way. For what it’s worth I tend to vote Conservative but almost voted Labour at the last election. So you could say I’m a potential swing voter. My mum is the same as me in that respect.

I’ve been really disappointed with Starmer as PM since Labour took power last year. I think Streeting comes across as more relatable and passionate than Starmer. His background growing up in poverty and overcoming cancer makes him feel much more grounded and human. He’s also a much stronger communicator, especially under pressure, and isn’t afraid to say what he really thinks, even when it goes against his own party. I like that he talks openly about reforming the NHS rather than just promising more money. It feels more honest and realistic. Compared to Starmer, he just seems a bit sharper, more instinctive politically, and more willing to take risks. I think he could appeal to people across the political spectrum, especially those who want change but are put off by extremes. Anyone else feel the same?

I think if Labour don’t make some drastic changes soon then they are opening the door for a Reform win when we next have a general election.

Just curious, if you disagree with me, who do you think would be the best leader of the Labour Party?

I respect a politician who can look at evidence and change their mind. He's ambitious too, I can certainly see him making a bid for leadership if Starmer takes another big hit.

Though I do agree the current Labour cabinet is uninspiring, so there's not a huge amount of competition.

I have a lot if time for Wes Streeting but I really want Yvette Cooper as PM and Wes can be deputy. Sorry Kier. You were like the Theresa May after Brexit, inheriting a shit situation and a thoughtful, capable manager but more of a caretaker. Excellent on a very challenging world stage. Steady pair of hands at home, which is good, but not a future-looking, centrist, inspiring type of grown up PM that will be needed in these polarised times.

He is a detestable little turd

He is currently completely and utterly fucking up the NHS, huge swathes are being made redundant, safety systems are being dismantled, and we are on the cusp of returning to conditions that allowed Mid Staffs to occur. All whilst prancing around saying that he’s got everything to work so brilliantly

Could cheerfully slap him with a wet haddock

Best leader for Labour - Yvette Cooper or, in an ideal world, Andy Burnham

Yvette Cooper for Prime Minister and Wes as Deputy, failing that I'd happily have Wes in the top job. He's bright, passionate about social justice and a pragmatic politician. I've rated him highly for years and I also loved his autobiography.

I quite like Yvette but in my ideal world it would be Wes as leader and Yvette as deputy.

I wouldn't trust Wes Streeting to sort anything out. He's made the decision to close NHS England and cut the number of staff needed in half. Huge headlines, lots of applause. Now admits there's no plans how to do this and can't even be arsed to attend the staff meetings he used to turn up smirking at.

If Keir Starmer retires in 2028 or so, which I think is possible, then I think that Wes Streeting could well become next leader and Prime Minister.

You are kidding, right? May was an absolute disaster.

What? Did he magically find some hitherto unknown evidence that to be a woman, you need two X chromosomes? and then he changed his mind that men can’t be women.

No one associated with Labour currently, unfortunately. They are low calibre people who have no real life experience of doing anything meaningful.

He is certainly one of the better performing cabinet ministers, and he comes across as relatable to me.

I do wonder if the fact that he is gay would mean he's ripped apart by some types though. It certainly wouldn't bother me and I wouldn't have thought that mattered even 18 months ago, but I'm less sure now.

No need for rudeness on a discussion forum
says more about you etc

This is unfair. She stepped up when all those idiot men belatedly realised that their Oxbridge game playing willy waving had actual real life consequences.

"They are low calibre people who have no real life experience of doing anything meaningful."

Hmm unlike the Charlies who were in from 2010 to 2024 hey @Jennps ?

Well no, of course not. He had an idea (albeit the silly one that some men are women), which lots of politicians either believe or pretend to because it's trendy. He realised it was incorrect and repositioned himself.

It's better than Starmer's embarrassing fence sitting on the issue, or doubling down like many others have. Again, it's a low bar, but he's passed it where lots have failed!

They need to grow the economy - and start that now! They still don't have a clue.

I like him too, but think he should stay in charge of Health as he seems to know his brief and be committed to it. One of the many problems with the last Tory government was that they chopped and changed ministers so often that no one knew what they were doing.
He also needs to be moved to a better constituency. In Ilford he is always at risk of being unseated by a pro Palestine independent. He won by the skin of his teeth last time.

I like that he listened to the concerns of women and changed his thinking on gender and trans. That shows a degree of intelligence and humility lacking in most politicians.

The unions would rather vote for Boris Johnson that elect a female leader of the Labour Party ( unless they were of the trans variety)

I agree with this. I think he has something about him in a way that Starmer does not. I am a Labour voter and voted for them in the last election, but agree that Wes Streeting has the potential to win over many more voters.

Actually I’d say the same about Andy Burnham, who I also feel has more passion and authenticity than many of the current Labour frontbench.

Yeah, a 27 year career in human rights defence. What a low calibre loser.

It seems odd to lay this issue at the door of 'the Unions', when the two largest affiliates by far have female General Secretary's.

Convenient if you want to blame them for all of the parties ills though

The fella who announced slashing a key maternity budget from £95 million to just £2 million (ffs why have it at all??) on the basis that the same money would be given to NHS trusts and they could spend it where they wanted, just before announcing more cuts to the NHS that are resulting in huge job losses? Who’s quite happy to watch wards still relying on work from student nurses who have to pay for that, pay to work, only to be told there’s no jobs for them? Yeah he’s going to be good for women.

Someone like him who’s never out of the news is clearly a shameless self publicist who needs to get some of the actual work done and drive some of the real change we need on the shop floor. A Ben Wallace can actually fight for his service - the likes of Streeting knows f all and cares less. He’s another career politician.