UK Health Minister Wes Streeting Resigns, Citing Lack of Confidence in PM Starmer

London. Britain's Health Minister Wes Streeting has resigned from the ruling Labour party government. This incident has further increased the pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It is analyzed that his leadership is in crisis less than two years after Starmer became Prime Minister. On Thursday, Streeting said through the micro-blogging website X that he no longer has confidence in Starmer's leadership.

He mentioned that the main reason for the Labour Party's defeat in the recent local elections across England, Scotland, and Wales was the party's unpopularity. The 43-year-old Streeting said in his statement: 'It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party in the next general election.'

'MPs and trade unions now want a contest of ideas, not personalities.' He also called on the party to bring forward excellent potential candidates for new leadership. Within hours of Streeting's resignation, Labour MP Josh Simmons also announced his resignation from Parliament.

This move is seen as a strategy to bring Andy Burnham back to Parliament to challenge Starmer. However, Streeting has not yet stated that he has gathered the support of the 81 MPs required to formally start a leadership contest. But his decision has further intensified the pressure on Starmer.

So far, four junior ministers have left the government, including Jess Phillips. Similarly, more than 80 MPs have urged Starmer to resign or publicly present a clear plan for stepping down.