Key points from Wes Streeting speech as he launches leadership bid with pledge to rejoin EU

Wes Streeting has officially announced his intention to stand in a potential Labour leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking at the Progress think tank conference in London, Streeting emphasized the need for a proper contest featuring all viable candidates, including Andy Burnham, whom he believes should be given a chance to return to Parliament before the leadership race proceeds. Streeting, who recently resigned as health secretary, asserted he has sufficient support among MPs to trigger a contest but warned that rushing the process without Burnham’s participation would undermine the legitimacy of any new leader and prolong party instability. In his first major speech since stepping down, Streeting criticized Labour’s recent trajectory, warning that the party risks becoming aligned with Nigel Farage’s agenda and the potential breakup of the United Kingdom unless it changes course. He reflected on the party’s struggles under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, highlighting factionalism and the handling of antisemitism as factors that stifled intellectual renewal and policy debate. Streeting argued that Labour’s reluctance to engage in open debate and challenge ideas has left the party underprepared and lacking a clear vision upon entering government. A key element of Streeting’s platform is a call for Britain to rejoin the European Union, signaling a significant shift in Labour’s approach to Brexit and European relations. He urged the party to embrace a broader, more inclusive politics that values diversity of thought and competition of ideas as essential to finding radical solutions. Streeting’s leadership bid seeks to position Labour as a party capable of renewal and unity, aiming to restore clarity and direction ahead of future electoral challenges.