Wes Streeting quits UK government and calls on Keir Starmer to resign

Streeting, who is on the party’s right, had long been rumoured to be gathering support for tilt at leadership

Health Secretary Wes Streeting leaves number 10 Downing Street, London, after his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Picture date: Wednesday May 13, 2026.

Wes Streeting has quit the UK cabinet as health secretary and called on Keir Starmer to resign as British prime minister, saying there should now be a leadership contest.

Streeting, who is on the party’s right, has long been gathering support for a challenge and has spent the week gathering names of MPs for his nomination.