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Former minister Streeting says he will stand in any contest to replace UK's Starmer

Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy Reuters

LONDON - Former health minister Wes Streeting said on Saturday that he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer in any leadership contest held, days after stepping down and urging Starmer to set a timetable for his departure.

"We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing," Streeting told a conference of the Progress group of Labour supporters.

(Reporting by David Milliken, Editing by Louise Heavens)

Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy Jaimi Joy Reuters
Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Britain’s former Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers a keynote address at the Progress annual conference 2026, in London, Britain, May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy Jaimi Joy Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 7:51 AM.

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