Starmer vows ‘to fight to win’ against Streeting for Labour leadership with health secretary poised to quit government

Keir Starmer is preparing to contest the Labour leadership against Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is reportedly poised to resign from the cabinet and trigger a leadership election amid growing turmoil within the party. Streeting’s expected departure follows a wave of resignations by his allies, with as many as five more ministers potentially set to quit alongside him. The crisis has intensified after four ministers resigned earlier in the week, deepening divisions within Labour and prompting emergency meetings at Downing Street as Starmer seeks to maintain support. Streeting’s leadership bid is supported by a faction urging Prime Minister Starmer to step aside, while Starmer remains defiant, vowing to fight any challenge to his leadership. Other potential candidates are emerging, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who lost the Labour leadership in 2015, and Defence Minister Al Carns, who may also resign to launch a bid. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is also reportedly considering a challenge despite ongoing scrutiny over her tax affairs. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is rumored to be seeking a parliamentary seat to enter the contest, although reports of a seat being vacated for him have been denied. The leadership crisis highlights deep fractures within the Labour Party, with factions divided over the party’s direction and leadership style. Starmer’s hold on power is increasingly precarious as his opponents seek to capitalize on dissatisfaction within the party ranks. The National Executive Committee (NEC) may face pressure to intervene to prevent a divisive contest, with some party members reportedly unwilling to accept a direct Starmer-Streeting showdown. The unfolding developments underscore the challenges facing Labour as it grapples with internal dissent ahead of upcoming elections. Streeting’s brief meeting with Starmer at No 10 Downing Street did little to quell speculation about his leadership ambitions, despite official statements affirming the prime minister’s confidence in his health secretary. The situation remains fluid as Labour braces for a potentially transformative leadership contest that could reshape the party’s future.