{"id":3375,"date":"2026-05-14T19:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/?p=3375"},"modified":"2026-05-14T19:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:31:18","slug":"wes-streeting-quits-as-minister-clearing-way-for-challenge-to-starmer-20260514-p5zx61-htmlrefrssutm_mediumrssutm_sourcerss_feed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wes-streeting-quits-as-minister-clearing-way-for-challenge-to-starmer-20260514-p5zx61-htmlrefrssutm_mediumrssutm_sourcerss_feed\/","title":{"rendered":"Wes Streeting quits as UK health secretary, clearing way for challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"64\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_128%2Ch_128%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"64\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">Updated <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-15T05:27:35+10:00\">May 15, 2026<!-- --> \u2014 5:27am<\/time>,<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"wbr-separator\" class=\"sc-a243f860-1 jIzAbi\"\/><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">first published <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-14T22:31:19+10:00\">10:31pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"\/>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p><strong>London: <\/strong>A senior British cabinet minister has quit the government to clear the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer after months of internal dissent and a catastrophic loss for the party in elections last week.<\/p>\n<p>Health Secretary Wes Streeting <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/britain-in-crisis-as-starmer-refuses-to-go-minister-quits-mps-revolt-20260512-p5zw4j.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ended days of speculation<\/a> by formally resigning from the government about 1pm on Thursday in London (10pm AEST) and issuing a letter that damned the government for offering a \u201cvacuum\u201d rather than vision.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wes Streeting has quit as the UK\u2019s health secretary.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ce3893dc63c2cc6aa603020c62177c05a4668888 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Wes Streeting has quit as the UK\u2019s health secretary.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A rival candidate for the top job emerged hours later when Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed plans to contest a seat in parliament, gaining swift endorsements from left-wing MPs who want a radical shift in the government\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n<p>But Streeting did not declare his intention to challenge Starmer and focused his statement on his concerns about the government\u2019s direction, leaving doubt around the timing of the next steps to decide who should run the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Burnham did not issue a direct challenge, either, because he must gain party approval to become the Labour candidate at a looming byelection in the hope of entering parliament and joining a future leadership race.<\/p>\n<p>Streeting prepared for a future leadership ballot by calling for a broad contest of candidates to debate the party\u2019s future, in a line that observers regarded as an invitation for other contenders to put their names forward.<\/p>\n<p><iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" frameborder=\"0\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/interactive\/modules\/tearout-excerpt\/?resizable=true&amp;v=481&amp;configUrl=https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/interactive\/hub\/configs\/tearout-excerpt\/57470.json&amp;v=0.8900336581716634\" class=\"sc-a37c8537-0 sc-d102cce5-1 inzSmD wbXDd\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A vote by Labour party members could take months to organise, leaving the government divided while ministers argue over the leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Former deputy leader Angela Rayner, who stepped down last year over a tax blunder, <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/may\/14\/angela-rayner-cleared-hmrc-tax-affairs-labour-leadership-starmer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">told <em>The Guardian<\/em><\/a> she wanted to see change, but she was vague about her intentions. When asked whether Starmer should step aside, she said: \u201cKeir will have to reflect on that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Streeting based his criticism of the government on the backlash against Labour in the <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/british-voters-turn-right-towards-farage-but-starmer-refuses-to-go-20260508-p5zv5o.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local and regional elections<\/a> last Thursday, when the party lost power in Wales, suffered a decline in Scotland and lost hundreds of councillors across local government.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLast week\u2019s election results were unprecedented \u2013 both in terms of the scale of the defeat and the consequences of that failure,\u201d he wrote in his letter to Starmer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.354%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/eb762b6aa6467b0ff91108c0615a3c3777be2afc 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cYou have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign. You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage \u2013 not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Streeting referred to Starmer\u2019s defence of his record in <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/the-british-prime-minister-is-sinking-slowly-as-his-party-turns-against-him-20260512-p5zvul.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a major speech<\/a> on Monday, in the wake of the election results, but he highlighted the challenges facing the country and concluded that Starmer was not up to the task.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/king-stays-calm-as-labour-lurches-into-crisis-and-challenger-emerges-20260514-p5zwmh.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"King Charles III and Queen Camilla smile during the King\u2019s Speech in the House of Lord\u2019s Chamber during the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.19932241671372106%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/5535916e27591d259bd4f3820507c0ac3754b1b1 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThese are big challenges that require a bold vision and bigger solutions than we are offering,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour Unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>\u201cServing as your Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been the greatest joy of my life and, regardless of our differences this week, I remain truly grateful to you for the opportunity to serve and I am deeply saddened to be leaving government in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/the-british-prime-minister-is-sinking-slowly-as-his-party-turns-against-him-20260512-p5zvul.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UK PM Keir Starmer has seemingly lost all support inside his party.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The British press has repeatedly named Streeting as a contender for the prime minister\u2019s job for more than a year, and as recently as May 2 said he had the numbers to launch a challenge.<\/p>\n<p>He made no public claim to this, however, and said in his letter that it would have been \u201cdishonourable and unprincipled\u201d to remain in cabinet when he had lost confidence in the prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>Labour rules state that a challenger must gain support from 20 per cent of the parliamentary party to trigger a challenge. The party has 403 members in the House of Commons, which means Streeting needs 81 to back him to trigger a vote by party members to choose the leader.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>When the party voted on the deputy leadership last year, 87,407 members voted for Lucy Powell \u2013 a senior figure on the left \u2013 and 73,536 voted for Bridget Phillipson, who was seen as aligned with Starmer.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/labourlist.org\/2026\/05\/labour-leadership-challenge-polling-survation\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A poll of Labour members by research firm Survation<\/a>, released hours before Streeting\u2019s resignation, found the prime minister would win a vote against the former cabinet minister by 53 per cent to 23 per cent.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at a  charity football match last week.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.234%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/1672b61df38c1730e6d431a903dc607675e570f7 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at a  charity football match last week.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, it found that Starmer would lose to Burnham by 28 per cent to 61 per cent.<\/p>\n<p>Burnham was an MP for 16 years, and a minister in the Labour government that lost office in 2010, but he left Westminster a decade ago to take charge of Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>He revealed his plan shortly after 5.30pm on Thursday (2.30am on Friday, AEST) after an ally, Josh Simons, announced that he would resign as MP for Makerfield so that Burnham could contest the seat. The electorate is west of Manchester and just south of Wigan.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/a-horrible-place-this-gloomy-town-shows-why-angry-voters-are-lurching-to-the-right-20260511-p5zvij.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wigan Pier.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cMuch bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again,\u201d said Burnham.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is why I now seek people\u2019s support to return to parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMillions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>Starmer\u2019s allies in the Labour Party national executive committee already blocked Burnham from running at a byelection this year, but the prime minister has lost authority and may struggle to do the same at Burnham\u2019s second attempt to return to Westminster.<\/p>\n<p>Running for Makerfield is a risk for Burnham, however, given that <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/europe\/a-horrible-place-this-gloomy-town-shows-why-angry-voters-are-lurching-to-the-right-20260511-p5zvij.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the area around Wigan<\/a> swung sharply away from Labour and toward Reform UK in the council elections last week, giving Reform leader Nigel Farage a big victory in the area.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what\u2019s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/newsletter-signup?newsletter=trump-biden-2020&amp;utm_source=EditorialArticle&amp;utm_medium=ArticleText&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i class=\"exceeded-words\">Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" 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rel=\"noopener\">email<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated May 15, 2026 \u2014 5:27am,first published 10:31pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA London: A senior British cabinet minister has quit the government to clear the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer after months of internal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[78,252,221,231,273,272,271,174,419,127,7,2004,447],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-house","category-reviews","category-reviews-rit-ads","category-shop","category-shop-beauty","category-shopping","category-starlink","category-surface-water","category-trending-uk","category-world","category-world-europe","category-world-middle-east"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/owspakistan.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}