TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former UK Health Minister Wes Streeting has announced his intention to vie for the leadership of the Labour Party to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Streeting's statement came days after his resignation from Starmer's government amid mounting pressure on the Labour Party following poor results in local elections.
"We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I’ll be standing," Streeting said at a think tank forum in London on Saturday, May 16, 2026, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Although not yet officially initiating a leadership challenge against Starmer, Streeting's statement reinforces speculation that the change in leadership of the Labour Party is almost inevitable.
In his speech before Labour supporters, Streeting also criticized Starmer's administration, which was deemed unprepared when coming into power.
"The Labour Party arrived in government underprepared in too many areas and lacking clarity of vision and direction," he said as quoted by The Guardian.
Previously, on the previous Thursday, Streeting resigned from the cabinet, citing a loss of confidence in Starmer's leadership.
A day later, he expressed support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is also touted as a strong candidate to replace Starmer.
"We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them," Streeting wrote on social media X.
Starmer's government has recently been rocked by controversies, ranging from the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington to criticism of domestic policy delays.
More than 80 UK MPs have reportedly urged Starmer to step down. Four junior ministers have also resigned from the government.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Josh Simons has also resigned from his seat in Makerfield to make way for Burnham to re-enter parliament, an important prerequisite for challenging Keir Starmer in the party leader election.
Read: UK: Keir Starmer Tells Cabinet He's Going Nowhere, Ministers Quit
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