Wes Streeting Announces Labour Leadership Bid and Calls for EU Rejoining

Wes Streeting announced he will run for Labour leader after resigning as health secretary. He spoke at the Progress conference in central London on Saturday and said the party needs a contest with the best candidates on the field. Streeting said he has support among Labour MPs but chose not to rush into a leadership contest.

He stated that holding a contest without giving Andy Burnham a chance to return to Parliament would lack legitimacy and extend instability.

Streeting said leaving the European Union was a catastrophic mistake. He called for a new special relationship with the EU and said Britain’s future lies with Europe and one day back in the European Union. He also said the party must build homes for the next generation and address children living in mouldy bed and breakfasts. Streeting pledged to take on vested interests in housing.

Burnham said he is standing in the Makerfield by-election to save Labour. He told the BBC that Labour has not been good enough and requires a lot of change. The Greater Manchester mayor was given permission by the NEC to run in the by-election. Streeting said he will campaign for Burnham in the contest and go door-knocking to help him win the seat.

Education secretary Bridget Philipson said Burnham would be a strong candidate but gave her full support to Sir Keir Starmer.