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Four key excerpts from Streeting's resignation letter

Henry Zeffman,Chief political correspondentand
Brian Wheeler,Political reporter
BBC Screengrab of Streeting's letter next to a headshot of Wes StreetingBBC

Wes Streeting has quit as health secretary after days of speculation that he is preparing to mount a leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.

The now ex-health secretary is brutal in his assessment of Sir Keir's leadership of the Labour Party and the country in his resignation letter.

But he stops short of announcing a leadership challenge, saying instead that the prime minister should take steps to ensure there is a "broad" contest to replace him with "the best possible field of candidates".

Here are four key excerpts from the near-1,000 word letter and what they may mean.

'Dishonourable' to remain in post

Graphic showing an excerpt from Wes Streeting’s resignation letter reading: "The National Health Service is the embodiment of all that is best about Britain and our values. Thanks to our Labour government, it is on the road to recovery: lots done, but so much more to do. These are all good reasons for me to remain in post, but as you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so.”

Streeting delivers the killer blow, saying he has "lost confidence" in the prime minister but also makes clear that his decision to quit on a matter of principle has nothing to do with policy differences and everything to do with Sir Keir's leadership of the Labour Party and the country.

'Nationalists are in power in every corner of the UK'

Graphic showing an excerpt from Wes Streeting’s resignation letter reading: "For the first time in our country's history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom - including a dangerous English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK. This represents both an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom, but Reform UK also represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great."

Streeting lumps Reform UK, Plaid Cymru and the SNP together as "nationalists" saying they threaten the future integrity of the United Kingdom. There is no mention of the Green Party eating into Labour's vote in parts of England.

This feeds into the deep-seated fear among Labour MPs that Nigel Farage will be next prime minister. Streeting does not believe Sir Keir is capable of preventing that.

'Where we need vision, we have a vacuum'

Graphic showing an excerpt from Wes Streeting’s resignation letter reading: "But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.”

This is a particularly brutal passage but it will resonate with many who have served this government as ministers or officials, including some who are still in those roles.

The debate this week has been about Streeting, his conduct and his campaign. Now Streeting wants it to be about Sir Keir, his leadership and where he is taking the Labour Party.

'Clear' you will not lead Labour into next general election

Graphic showing an excerpt from Wes Streeting’s resignation letter reading: "It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour Unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism. It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.”

A "broad debate" is code for Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, being able to stand as a candidate if he is able to. To become a candidate, Burnham would have to become an MP.

The onus is now on Burnham to prove that he does indeed have the plausible route into Parliament (ie an MP resigning to hand over to him) that his allies have claimed he has for some weeks now.

If Burnham cannot come up with the goods, then it is likely that Streeting and his supporters will press for a rapid contest in which Streeting would be more likely to face off against Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, or perhaps former party leader Ed Miliband.

Sir Keir Starmer's reply

Dear Wes,

Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.

When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result ofyour work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS. Thanks to the choices we made to stabilise our economy, invest in our public services and reform the NHS, hospital waiting lists have been cut. Patients are now waiting less time for hospital appointments, ambulances are arriving sooner, the NHS is more productive, and people's experience of healthcare is improving. The NHS is back on its feet.

Alongside these performance improvements, you and your team have set out an ambitious policy agenda. The 10 Year Health Plan will modernise the NHS and wider health system. The Casey Commission and Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care puts us on a path to a National Care Service we can be proud of. Alongside this, the National Cancer Plan, HIV Action Plan, National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and Life Sciences Sector Plan are all ambitious pieces of work. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will save lives, and the Mental Health Act will improve lives.

This is the difference a Labour government makes. This is the change we are delivering.

Last week's local election results were extremely tough. I know many colleagues saw good friends lose seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love.

It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation. As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.

I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service. But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come. I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.

All best wishes,

The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP