LONDON: Former British health minister Wes Streeting told the BBC he would be prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister as soon as next week, urging a speedy end to the “uncertainty and paralysis.”
Streeting, who has said he has the backing of the 81 Labour lawmakers which are needed to trigger a challenge, told BBC Newsnight that he thought a contest should be initiated sooner rather than later.
The Labour Party is waiting to see if Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, can win a local election in Makerfield on Thursday to return to parliament, where he would become the frontrunner in any challenge to Starmer.
“I think the prime minister should be given some space and time to reflect over the weekend and I think we should see where we are then,” Streeting said.
Starmer has repeatedly said he would fight to keep his job and that a leadership contest was not the right thing for the country. Streeting disagreed.
“We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis,” he said.
“I would prefer the PM to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest.”
Streeting quit last month in protest at the prime minister’s record, turning up the heat on Starmer, and leading to speculation that a leadership challenge was likely in the coming months.
In a further blow to Starmer’s authority, the highly respected defense minister, John Healey, resigned last week, accompanied by a scathing critique of Starmer’s record in allocating funds to increase defense spending.
Former UK minister Streeting says he could challenge PM Starmer next week
Short Url
https://arab.news/r7jaw
Former UK minister Streeting says he could challenge PM Starmer next week
- Wes Streeting has said he has the backing of the 81 Labour lawmakers which are needed to trigger a challenge
- Starmer has repeatedly said he would fight to keep his job and that a leadership contest was not the right thing for the country
