UK Health Secretary Resigns, says He Lost Confidence in Starmer’s Leadership

Wes Streeting, the United Kingdom’s health secretary, has resigned from his position.

Streeting said he “lost confidence” in Keir Starmer’s leadership as prime minister, adding that it would be “dishonourable and unprincipled” to remain in government.

His resignation letter was shared via X on Thursday.

“You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign. You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran,” Streeting told Starmer.

“But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords.

“You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.”

Streeting is the first cabinet member to resign since pressure began mounting on Starmer to leave office in the wake of last week’s elections results.

At least, four other junior ministers quit earlier this week.

So far, at least 81 members of the Labour Party have publicly called for Starmer to either resign or set a timetable for his departure.

The figures are 20 percent of the party’s 403 MPs, the threshold needed to trigger a leadership contest. It is the most serious internal threat yet to the prime minister from within his own ranks.

But Starmer has remained defiant.