BREAKING: Wes Streeting Resigns as Health Secretary — Says He Has 'Lost Confidence' in Starmer's Leadership

Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet on 14 May 2026, publishing his resignation letter on X at 1pm. In the letter, Streeting told Prime Minister Keir Starmer that he had “lost confidence” in his leadership and that it would be “dishonourable and unprincipled” to remain in government.

Streeting acknowledged Starmer’s strengths, writing that the Prime Minister had “led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024” and had shown “courage and statesmanship on the world stage — not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.”

But the central thrust of the letter was devastating: “Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”

Streeting cited a litany of policy missteps — from the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance to the widely criticised “island of strangers” speech — which he said had left the country “not knowing who we are or what we really stand for.”

The timing was pointed. On the same day, government data showed NHS waiting lists had fallen by 110,000 in March — the largest monthly drop outside the Covid-19 pandemic since 2008. The improvements occurred under Streeting’s leadership of the Department of Health.

In his response, Starmer thanked Streeting for his service and pointed to the NHS figures, writing: “The NHS is back on its feet.” He made no direct reference to the criticism of his leadership. James Murray, formerly Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was appointed as the new Health Secretary later the same day.

Streeting has not yet formally triggered a leadership contest. Under Labour party rules, a challenger requires the support of one-fifth of Labour MPs — currently 81 lawmakers. As of 16 May, approximately 90 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer to resign or set out a timetable for his departure, according to a LabourList tracker.

Streeting is the most senior minister to resign during the crisis. He joins Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed, Alex Davies-Jones, Miatta Fahnbulleh, and Rosie Wrighting — six Labour MPs who have resigned from government positions since the local election results on 7 May.

In his resignation letter, Streeting described Reform UK’s local election gains as “an existential threat to the future integrity” of British politics. Reform gained 1,244 councillors and took control of 114 councils on 7 May, while Labour lost 1,022 councillors and 31 councils.

Starmer has insisted he will not step down. In an interview with the Observer, he said: “I want 10 years in No 10 and will fight my challengers.” In a speech on 12 May, he argued that a change of leadership would plunge Britain back into the “chaos” that characterised the final years of Conservative government.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves backed Starmer on 14 May, urging colleagues not to put the economy “at risk” by “plunging the country into chaos” with a leadership challenge.

Whether Streeting will formally enter the race remains to be seen. His allies regard him as one of the best communicators in British politics. His critics point out that he retained his own parliamentary seat at the 2024 general election by just 528 votes.