LONDON - Labour's Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday, calling for a leadership contest to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Streeting accused Starmer of overseeing political drift and forcing others to take blame for the government's failures.
The move follows disastrous local election results for Labour last week, just under two years after Starmer won a landslide majority on a promise of stability. Streeting did not trigger a formal contest, but said the party needs a "battle of ideas."
Starmer has said he will fight to keep his job. Other potential candidates include former deputy Angela Rayner, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns. Business leaders warn the instability hurts investment. The pound edged lower on the news.