Streeting would effectively tackle sectarian politics and rising antisemitism as PM, say allies

Wes Streeting is convinced he can directly challenge and confront the rise of sectarian politics, increased division, and rising antisemitism in the UK as Prime Minister, allies have said.

Streeting resigned as Health Secretary in a move aimed at pressuring Keir Starmer to accept that his time as Prime Minister should come to an end.

Aides said they believe the Ilford North MP would prove to be a more effective communicator if given the chance to lead.

In his resignation letter, Streeting criticised the “drift” at the top of government and told the Prime Minister it is “clear” he will not lead Labour into the next election.

While he praised Starmer’s “many great strengths” and “courage and statesmanship on the world stage,” Streeting continued: “Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”

Jewish News understands that last week’s election results in Redbridge—where Labour held on to the council, beating back the challenge posed by the Jeremy Corbyn-backed pro-Gaza independents—convinced Streeting of the need to attempt a move to replace the PM.

Although Labour suffered significant losses to the Greens and Reform UK elsewhere, Streeting became convinced that effective communication was key to tackling the advance of extremist politics in the country.

Colleagues in Redbridge confirm that Streeting played a “very active” role in the local elections, attending meetings on campaign messaging and taking part in regular door-knocking to listen to local voters for months leading up to the May 7 poll.

Streeting also featured in a couple of online videos urging locals not to vote for the pro-Gaza independents.

In one video, he told residents to remember that they were participating in a vote about Redbridge, “not the UN Security Council.”

He acknowledged that issues such as Kashmir, Palestine, and Sudan are important, but accused the Corbyn-backed independents of seeking to use them to divide people.

Streeting argued that the focus should be on the issues that unite people in the borough, rather than divisive international concerns.

His team viewed the relatively poor showing by independents in Redbridge as proof that his direct challenge to identity-driven, single-issue politics works on the ground.

They believe it demonstrates that communities can still rally around Labour’s broad appeal instead of fragmenting along sectarian lines.

Speaking to Sky News at the Redbridge election count, Streeting said, “Whether it’s opponents to our left or to our right, we can still win as Labour.”

However, he made it clear that he blamed Starmer’s national leadership for the party’s losses elsewhere in the country.

Streeting also confirmed he would stand again at the next election in his Ilford North seat, confident he could overcome the challenge from pro-Gaza independents, who came within around 500 votes of defeating him in the last general election

While Streeting has been outspoken against antisemitism and sectarianism, he has also not hesitated to criticise Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

He has previously called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned the deaths of Palestinian civilians, and urged the UK government to take a firmer stance on violations of international law by all parties.

Streeting has stated that support for Israel’s right to exist does not mean giving a blank cheque to its government, and he has called for accountability and adherence to human rights standards across the board.

This nuanced position has sometimes placed him at odds with some pro-Israel campaigners, even as he has also been a target for criticism from pro-Palestinian activists.

In his resignation speech Streeting stopped short of announcing a bid for the top job, calling for the “best possible field of candidates” to run to replace him in Downing Street, suggesting he could be in favour of including Andy Burnham.

Streeting’s letter read: “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 to be the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope you will facilitate it.”

His  resignation follows days of turmoil in which calls have mounted for the Prime Minister to step down in the wake of Labour’s election mauling last week.

He blamed the “unprecedented” results in part on “the unpopularity of this Government”, adding: “There are many reasons we could point to: from individual mistakes on policy like the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance to the ‘island of strangers’ speech, all of which have left the country not knowing who we are or what we really stand for.”