Labour Party faces mounting pressure as Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigns and calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to return to Parliament after a Labour MP resigned, triggering a by-election in the safe seat of Makerfield.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday, stating he had 'lost confidence' in Starmer's leadership. In his resignation letter, Streeting urged a leadership contest, arguing the party needed 'vision' rather than a 'vacuum.' Separately, Labour MP Josh Simons announced his resignation from Makerfield, paving the way for Burnham to seek the seat and challenge Starmer.
Deeper Dive & Context
Burnham's Path to Westminster
Burnham confirmed he would request permission from Labour's National Executive Committee to stand in the Makerfield by-election. The seat, held by Labour since its creation in 1983, is now highly contested, with Reform UK gaining significant ground in recent local elections. Polling suggests Reform could win the seat, posing a major threat to Labour's dominance in the area.
Leadership Contest Looms
Streeting's resignation letter did not announce his own leadership bid, fueling speculation he may have struck a deal to support Burnham or another candidate. Angela Rayner, Labour's former deputy leader, has also signaled her potential candidacy, insisting she has been cleared of tax-related wrongdoing after paying £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty. She denied any deal with Burnham, stating she would not 'trigger' a leadership contest but would 'play her part' if one materializes.
Party Divisions
Starmer faces growing unrest within Labour, with over 90 MPs reportedly calling for his resignation. The party suffered heavy losses in recent local elections, with Reform UK and the Conservatives making gains. Starmer has urged MPs to avoid a leadership contest, warning it would cause 'chaos' and 'paralyse' the government.
Reform UK's Challenge
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage vowed to 'throw everything' at the Makerfield by-election, citing strong local election results where the party outperformed Labour. If Burnham wins the seat, he would be positioned to challenge Starmer, while a Reform victory could further destabilize Labour's position.