Streeting backs Burnham as next Labour leader following Prime Minister resignation

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has backed Andy Burnham as the next leader of the Labour party, following the Prime Minister’s resignation this morning.

Mr Burnham has overseen devolved health in Manchester whilst serving as mayor, but is also a former health secretary and shadow health secretary.

Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation speech stressed that Labour under his leadership secured ‘the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years’ but that the party has been asking whether he is ‘best placed to lead us into the next general election’.

Sir Keir said: ‘I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.

‘Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.’

He added that he will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess.

Sir Keir said: ‘In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

‘I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

‘I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.’

Shortly after the Prime Minister’s resignation, Mr Streeting, who had been touted as a potential contender in the leadership contest, released a statement in which he backed Mr Burnham.

The former health secretary had resigned from the post in May with a publicly shared resignation letter saying he had ‘lost confidence’ in the Prime Minister’s leadership.

In his statement, he said that the Makerfield by-election Mr Burnham won last week ‘has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change’ and that it was ‘a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred’.

Mr Streeting also said that he has been ‘setting out ideas to change our country’ and that these ideas have ‘a place’ under Mr Burnham’s potential leadership of the party.

Mr Streeting said: ‘Having spoken at length to Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.

‘We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.

‘We were elected to change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.’

Mr Burnham, a former Labour health secretary under Gordon Brown’s final cabinet from 2009 to 2010, confirmed that he will put himself forward for leadership.

In a statement, he said: ‘Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

‘His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

‘The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.’

Mr Burnham already ran for Labour leadership in 2015, when he was shadow health secretary, losing to Jeremy Corbyn.

He was a key member of the Labour election bid at the time, emphasising the party’s plans to repeal the Health and Social Care Act and stop what he saw as the creeping privatisation of the health service.

As shadow health secretary he also proposed to re-introduce 48-hour guaranteed GP appointments for patients.