Wes Streeting launches a shadow campaign for Labour leadership, insisting he can win over the Labour left despite starting as an underdog. He warns Labour MPs that continuing under Keir Starmer risks a political outcome that could enable a Reform government. He argues Starmer’s departure is inevitable and sets out priorities for government, including moving 175,000 children out of temporary accommodation, speeding up a national care service, introducing a wealth tax, and revisiting refugee plans. He says his authority has been undermined by recent Labour election results, his own exit from the cabinet, and Andy Burnham’s byelection campaign. Streeting denies ambition-driven motives and says he held back from triggering a leadership contest to avoid accusations of unfairness toward Burnham.
"Wes Streeting has insisted he can win over the Labour left, as he launches a shadow campaign for the party leadership, saying he has beaten the odds throughout his life and can do so again. The former health secretary, who called on Keir Starmer to resign as he quit the cabinet last week, warned Labour MPs that drifting on with Starmer in charge risked a Joe Biden situation that would usher in a Reform government."
"Streeting said it was inevitable the prime minister would stand down. Although there is no official leadership contest Starmer is still in Downing Street and the favourite, Andy Burnham, is campaigning to win a byelection. Streeting said it was inevitable the prime minister would stand down. In an interview with the Guardian, the Ilford North MP set out his plans for government, including moving 175,000 children out of temporary accommodation, speeding up the establishment of a national care service, bringing in a wealth tax and looking again at plans for refugees."
"While many observers were sceptical that Streeting had the support of the 81 MPs required to trigger a leadership contest when he stood down, he insisted he had the necessary numbers but said he held back because he would have been accused of pulling a fast one on Burnham if he had gone ahead before he was able to run. I know that I start the race as the underdog, but I've been the underdog all my life.' Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian"
"The former cabinet minister denied he was motivated by unbridled ambition for the job, or that he was planning to abandon his run for the leadership and fall in behind Burnham, should he win the byelection, in order to secure a big job. That's not what motivates and drives me at all. I do think it's inevitable that Keir has to go. I think he's l"
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Read at www.theguardian.com
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