Former UK Health Minister Wes Streeting Announces Bid to Challenge PM Keir Starmer

London. Former UK Health Minister Wes Streeting has announced that he will be a candidate in any Labour Party leadership contest against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Addressing the conference of Progress, a progressive group of Labour supporters, Streeting said – 'We need a real contest between the best candidates, and I will participate in it.'

A few days ago, he resigned from his ministerial post, urging Starmer to set a deadline for his resignation. During his address, Streeting called the UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU) in 2016 (Brexit) a catastrophic mistake. According to him, after Brexit, the UK has reached a weak state similar to that before the Industrial Revolution.

He also stated that the UK should aim to return to the European Union in the future. Prime Minister Starmer had opposed Brexit in the past. However, after becoming Prime Minister, he has stated that he will not try to return to the European Union and will not make major compromises on sensitive issues like immigration.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced that he will contest an election in a vacant seat to return to Parliament. Becoming a Member of Parliament is considered a necessary condition to challenge Starmer for the post of Prime Minister.

Following the Labour Party's major defeat in last week's local elections, pressure has increased on Starmer to resign. However, he has made it clear that he will not leave his post. According to Labour Party rules, any challenger must secure the support of at least 20 percent of the party's MPs to initiate a leadership election.