Streeting defends Starmer over decision to remain in Corbyn shadow cabinet

Wes Streeting has defended Keir Starmer’s decision to remain in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet suggesting the Labour leader was during this time an “ally” who took the crisis over antisemitism “seriously”.

Speaking extensively on his thoughts on overcoming the crisis with the NHS at Sunday’s Jewish Labour Movement annual conference, Streeting said:”Thank God people like Keir Starmer were in the shadow cabinet during that really difficult time.

“Being one of the people that I could go to on some of the darkest chapters of that period, on antisemitism, and know that in the shadow cabinet there was an ally who took it seriously.”

The shadow health secretary added that in his view Starmer “did stick his head above the parapet and speak out” as the crisis over anti-Jewish racism under Corbyn gripped the party.

Streeting said Starmer was at the time someone he would “trust to lead on the issue” and once he become leader he knew that he would “stick to his word on antisemitism.”

In conversation with Times journalist Henry Zeffman, at a packed event at JW3, in north London, Streeting accepted he had made a “different choice” refusing to serve on Corbyn’s front bench.

But he said:”We made different choices but we were confronted with the same dilemma, the same challenges … wanting the Labour Party to be in a position where we could win again.”

Streeting added:”I don’t feel my choice was any more morally superior compared to people who choose to serve. I think we were put in a very, very difficult position.”

At one point under the former Labour leader, Streeting said Starmer had approached him asking if he thought he should resign from the shadow cabinet over a “different issue.”

Streeting said Starmer asked him:”Do you think I shouldn’t be in the shadow cabinet? Do you think I should resign?”

In a revealing discussion of his plans to bring reforms of improvement to the NHS if a Labour government comes to power at the next election, Streeting slammed the Conservative’s record on health.

But he said “just getting the chequebook out” was not the answer, and said NHS reform would include using private sector capacity to bring down waiting lists.

Streeting said “left wing principles” should not be a reason to stop patients from using spare room capacity in the private sector.

He also revealed he would be meeting with the BMA this week, amid claims they have been angered by Streeting’s plans to change the existing GP system.

The Ilford North MP said the “broad sweep” of Labour MPs “understand” his call for reform of the NHS added they were “so tired of being in opposition.”

JW3’s main hall was packed to capacity as Streeting spoke to an overwhelmingly responsive audience, which included many health workers from within the community.

One medical student told the MP that main of his fellow undergraduates were considering careers abroad because of the dire state of the NHS in this country.