Wes Streeting at the Progress Conference at Convene in London(Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Wes Streeting has urged a “proper contest” to succeed Sir Keir Starmer and confirmed his intention to stand should the race be triggered, as he and other prominent Labour figures position themselves to challenge the Prime Minister. In his first public outing since resigning as health secretary, Mr Streeting outlined an emerging policy platform for a potential Labour leadership bid.
He argued Britain must forge a “new special relationship” with the European Union and indicated his desire to see the nation rejoin the trading bloc in future. Mr Streeting is amongst the senior Labour figures demanding a debate over the party’s future direction, amidst the turmoil that has engulfed it following a damaging series of election results across England, Scotland and Wales.
His remarks follow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham being cleared to stand for selection as the candidate in the Makerfield by-election. Mr Burnham has stated he is willing to “fight to the highest level”, as he and other senior Labour figures vie to lead the party going forward.
Speaking at the Progress think tank’s conference in London on Saturday, Mr Streeting was questioned whether he would enter a contest to succeed the Prime Minister.
“We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I’ll be standing,” he told reporters. Mr Streeting also acknowledged he possessed sufficient backing amongst MPs to initiate a contest, but indicated his challenge would “lack legitimacy” without Mr Burnham being afforded an opportunity to return to Parliament.
“That might have been the self-interested thing to do for candidates who are in Parliament presently, but it wasn’t in the party’s interest and wasn’t in the national interest,” he continued.
During his conference address, the former health secretary criticised what he described as an “overcautiousness” within Labour, which emerged during the party’s time in opposition and persisted into Government. “Instead of a willingness to challenge ideas and kick the tyres, debate was viewed as division and shut down,” he stated.
The Ilford North MP continued: “That’s why we need a proper contest where all candidates can put their best foot forward. It’s got to be a battle of ideas so that whoever wins comes out stronger for it.”
Elsewhere during his address, Mr Streeting outlined what appeared to be an initial framework of his own proposals for the Labour leadership.
Strengthening ties with Europe represented the first of three significant policy proposals Mr Streeting presented, telling the conference: “We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union.”
Mr Streeting also advocated for discussion surrounding “what type of capitalism do we want” and how the UK generates and benefits from economic growth. Thirdly, he insisted Britain must not accept “the destruction of shared truth” as unavoidable, arguing the nation should look to the founding of the BBC during the media revolution of the early 20th century as a model for how to “take the pen back” from social media bosses in Silicon Valley.
On Friday night, Mr Burnham was granted permission by Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), to enter the selection process for the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Streeting was amongst those who have thrown their weight behind Mr Burnham’s bid to contest the forthcoming by-election, which was triggered after Josh Simons announced he would step down as an MP to afford Mr Burnham the opportunity to return to Parliament.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester told Channel 4 News on Saturday morning that his focus was firmly on securing a parliamentary seat, rather than toppling Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
“It’s just not the issue. The issue is winning. Winning a by-election with what I’m saying, you know, it’s not about, you know, necessarily the next thing,” he said.
However, Mr Burnham stated he had “made a whole career fighting for people in this part of the world”, before adding: “I’ve taken that fight to another level as mayor and yes, I will carry on taking that fight to the highest level.”
A “big change moment is needed” in British politics, he further remarked, following a damaging set of election results for Labour across England, Scotland, and Wales. Mr Burnham told the BBC separately that he wishes to stand in the Makerfield by-election to “save” Labour.
He insisted Labour must recognise it has “not been good enough” and “requires a lot of change”. “We’ve got to see this as a moment to reclaim the Labour Party, to save it from where it’s been. We can’t just carry on as we are,” he stated.
During his media appearances, Mr Burnham told ITV News that Britain had been on the “wrong path” for 40 years. “It’s taken us to this place where people can’t afford life’s basics, they can’t afford a few pints at the weekend, they can’t afford a holiday,” he continued.
Applications for Labour’s Makerfield candidacy close on Monday, with the NEC set to endorse a candidate on Thursday. June 18 is thought to be the earliest possible date for a by-election.
Should he win, Mr Burnham is widely anticipated to mount a challenge against Sir Keir for the party leadership. While Makerfield is traditionally a safe Labour seat, the party anticipates a significant challenge from Reform UK on this occasion.
Mr Simons achieved a majority of merely 5,399 over Nigel Farage’s party at the 2024 general election. Since then, Labour’s polling decline and Reform’s ascent have reversed their positions.
However, Mr Burnham could capitalise on his substantial personal support throughout the North West, where he commands a net favourability rating of 24% according to pollster Ipsos, markedly higher than any of the party leaders or the Labour Party itself. Candidate selection procedures are already in motion for both Reform UK and the Greens.
A Labour leadership race has yet to commence, given that the internal party mechanism required to initiate one has not been activated.
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