Wes Streeting has confirmed he will stand in any potential Labour leadership contest as pressure remains on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The former Health Secretary has been speaking today for the first time since his resignation, at the conference of Labour-affiliated group Progress.
Streeting resigned on Thursday (May 14), after accusing Sir Keir of a "vacuum" of leadership.
Wes Streeting 'will stand' in any Labour leadership race
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) May 14, 2026
Streeting said today that there must be a "proper contest" for the next Labour leader.
He said: "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."
When asked whether he would stand in a contest, Streeting said: "We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I'll be standing."
However, he said that he did not want to force an immediate leadership contest, adding that it "wasn't in the party's interest [or the] national interest" before Andy Burnham has the chance to return to parliament.
Burnham is currently ineligible for the race as he is not a sitting MP, as he is the current Mayor of Greater Manchester.
However, Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, said he would stand down so Mr Burnham can “drive the change our country is crying out for”.
Streeting also said that going ahead with an immediate contest would mean "the new leader, whether it was me or anyone else, would lack the legitimacy and so we would end up extending instability and uncertainty."
He added: "If you think you're good enough to do the top job, if you think you've got the right ideas for the country, you should be prepared to put them forward, test them against other competitors, and win an election.
The former Health Secretary went on to repeat his call for Sir Keir Starmer to "set out a proper leadership timetable", and to "give his ministers the freedom to nominate whoever they want to see as leader of our party and the prime minister of our country".
No formal leadership challenge has yet been triggered.
How does a Labour leadership challenge work?
Sir Keir Starmer is facing continued pressure to quit his role as Prime Minister, facing calls from within and outside the Labour Party.
It comes after Labour's poor result in the recent local elections, losing almost 1,500 councillors across England.
Reports suggest that nearly 90 Labour MPs have called on Starmer to leave his post, or set out a timetable for his resignation.
However, more than 150 MPs have indicated support for the PM, with many arguing it is not the right time for a leadership contest.
To force a leadership election, 20% of the party's MPs must back a replacement candidate, meaning 81 of the 403 Labour MPs.
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If a leadership election is triggered, other candidates could join the contest if they also have 81 backers.
Sir Keir would not be required to gather support as he would be automatically on the ballot paper and would continue as Prime Minister during any contest.
As well as West Streeting and And Burnham, Angela Rayner is also among the names reported to be eyeing up the role.
Do you think Sir Keir Starmer should resign as Prime Minister? Let us know in the comments below.
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