London, United Kingdom. Former health minister Wes Streeting said he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer in any Labour leadership contest, days after stepping down and urging Starmer to set a timetable for his departure.
Streeting signals leadership bid
Streeting told a conference of the Progress group of Labour supporters that he would stand in any leadership contest. He said there should be a contest with the best candidates.
Call to rejoin the European Union
Streeting described Britain’s 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union as a “catastrophic mistake” and said it had made the country its weakest since before the Industrial Revolution. He said the UK should seek to rejoin the bloc and called for a new special relationship with the EU.
Starmer’s stance on Europe and leadership calls
Starmer opposed leaving the EU but, as prime minister, has rejected trying to rejoin or making major concessions on areas such as immigration, which the EU sees as essential for much closer economic ties. Starmer has rejected calls to step down after Labour suffered a heavy defeat in local elections last week.
Other potential challenger and party rules
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he was standing for election in a newly vacant seat to return to parliament, which is a precondition for him to be able to challenge Starmer as prime minister. Labour party rules require each challenger to gain support from at least 20% of the party’s members of parliament before being able to trigger a leadership election.
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