Labour’s National Executive Committee has cleared the path for Andy Burnham to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
A party spokesperson said the ruling body had given the Mayor of Greater Manchester permission to stand in the candidate selection process.
Earlier, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Mr Burnham represented Labour’s “best chance” of winning the “tough” by-election.
It comes after Josh Simons MP announced on Thursday he would quit Parliament to make way for the mayor.
If successful, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”
Labour expects a stiff challenge from Reform UK in Makerfield, with Mr Simons securing a majority of just 5,399 over Nigel Farage’s party at the 2024 general election.
Since then, Labour’s polling collapse and Reform’s surge have seen their positions reverse.
Following Mr Simons' resignation, Mr Farage said: “We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it.”
On Thursday, Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary, while former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner revealed that she had been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, clearing the way for a potential tilt at the top job.
Sir Keir has faced mounting calls to quit in the wake of Labour’s disastrous local election results last week.
Follow the latest updates below...
Key Points
- Andy Burnham to try to run for Parliament
- Andy Burnham's statement in full
- Burnham garnering support from London MPs
- When will a Makerfield by-election take place?
- Wes Streeting resigns as Health Secretary
- Wes Streeting's resignation letter in full
- All the Labour MPs calling on Starmer to quit
When will Labour's candidate be announced?
18:52 , Alastair LockhartAfter saying Andy Burnham would be allowed to stand in the upcoming by-election, Labour’s NEC opened applications for the Makerfield selection process.
The deadline for applications is Monday.
The governing body will endorse a candidate to run for the seat in the Greater Manchester constituency on Thursday.
Watch: 'No attempt' to block Burnham from standing, says Labour deputy leader
18:24 , Alastair LockhartHow could the Makerfield by-election play out?
18:09 , Alastair LockhartLabour expects a stiff challenge from Reform UK in Makerfield. The current MP, Josh Simons, won a majority of just 5,399 over Nigel Farage’s party at the 2024 general election.
Since then, Labour has seen its support collapse while Reform’s has surged.
This month’s local elections saw Reform win every council ward in the Makerfield constituency, securing around half the vote, while Labour won only a little more than a quarter.
But Mr Burnham could benefit from his strong personal following across the North West, where he enjoys a net favourability rating of 24 per cent according to pollster Ipsos – considerably higher than any of the party leaders or the Labour Party itself.
Andy Burnham has been granted permission to stand in the Makerfield by-election - what now?
17:31 , Megan HoweThe NEC’s decision to allow Andy Burnham to stand in the Makerfield by-election comes after he was blocked from the Gorton and Denton contest earlier this year.
The NEC has also confirmed the timetable for the selection process, with applications set to close on Monday, May 18, ahead of a selection meeting on 21 May.
No date has yet been confirmed for the by-election itself, as the writ must still be moved in Parliament before the timetable can be formally set.
And Andy Burnham still has to secure selection as the local Labour Party’s candidate.
Andy Burnham can run in the Makerfield by-election
17:19 , Megan HoweThe Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham will be included in Labour’s candidate selection process for the Makerfield by-election, the party said.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”
NEC gives Andy Burnham permission to run in the Makerfield by-election
17:18 , Megan HoweLabour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has given the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham permission to stand in the candidate selection process for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, a party spokesman said.
'Anyone who does not want to follow Starmer's election mandate should call a general election,' Badenoch says
16:38 , Megan HoweKemi Badenoch has said that anyone who does not want to “follow” Sir Keir Starmer’s election mandate should call for a general election.
Speaking to the Press Association at an electrical engineering manufacturer in Saffron Walden, in her constituency of North West Essex on Friday, the Conservative Party leader said: “Labour were elected on a particular mandate. Anyone who does not want to follow that mandate should call a general election.
“The truth is, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, or someone else.
“The problem is the Labour Party. They did not have a plan for government; they only had a plan to win an election.”
It comes after Wes Streeting backed Andy Burnham as Labour’s “best chance” of winning the Makerfield by-election, as the former health secretary’s allies said he would still contest any battle for the party leadership.
The leader of the Opposition also told PA that her party “will announce a candidate for that by-election in due course”.
Tories will have a candidate standing in the Makerfield by-election says Badenoch
16:07 , Megan HoweThe Conservatives will have a candidate standing in the Makerfield by-election, Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch says.
Speaking to the media during a visit to North Essex, she adds that the Labour party is in "chaos".
"Andy Burnham wants to rock up and just be prime minister despite being out of parliament for a decade," she says.
She adds that the Tories are the "one party" holding them to account in Parliament.
How Starmer fell from election triumph to fighting for his life
15:34 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer’s fall from general election victory to the brink of being ousted as Prime Minister has happened at extraordinary speed.
He took Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, with more than 400 MPs from his party elected to Parliament.
Just 674 days later he faced the start of moves to force him out of Downing Street.
You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.
Former Greens leader wants party to avoid by-electiob
15:11 , Tom PlaceFormer Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has suggested that the party should not contest the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
Caroline Lucas, who was MP for Brighton Pavilion between 2010 and 2024, made the comments on X in response to reporting that the Greens were starting the process of selecting a candidate.
Ms Lucas wrote: "I hope this isn’t true. There are times when it’s more important to put country before party. This is one of them.
“Burnham’s longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy & counter dire threat of a Reform UK government”.
Watch: Starmer issues stark warning ahead of Unite the Kingdom rally
14:59 , Tom PlaceWhen will the Makerfield by-election take place?
14:48 , Tom PlaceAndy Burnham has confirmed he intends to stand in the Makerfield by-election after the seat became available following the resignation of its MP.
Josh Simons said he would step down as MP for Makerfield to allow Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.
The move will trigger a by-election in the constituency just two years after the general election, though several steps must take place before voters head to the polls.
Burnham must first receive formal approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to become the party’s candidate.
The NEC previously blocked him from contesting the Gorton and Denton by-election, although senior Labour sources say they do not expect that will happen a second time.
If approved, Burnham would then go on to face a difficult contest in Makerfield, with Labour under growing pressure from both Reform UK and the Green Party.
But when will the Makerfield by-election take place? You can read all about it here.
Trump: 'Tough' for Starmer to survive
14:07 , Alastair LockhartDonald Trump has said it will be “tough” for Sir Keir Starmer to survive as the Prime Minister battles to save his premiership.
The American president, who has criticised Sir Keir repeatedly in recent weeks over the Iran war, told reporters on Air Force One “he’s a nice man” as he returned from his trip to China.
Mr Trump said: “He’s in trouble for two reasons, energy and immigration.
“He’s very bad on energy. He should open up the North Sea. He’s got a gold mine and should open up oil in the North Sea, and he doesn’t.”
Asked if Sir Keir should quit, Mr Trump said: “I don’t say that. I think he’s a nice man, actually.
“I didn’t like what he said. ‘We’re going to send ships as soon as you’re finished with the wars’, but we are sort of finished militarily, pretty much,” he added, in reference to the Iran war.
Makerfield candidate selection already underway
13:48 , Alastair LockhartThe Green Party and Reform UK have already begun to select their candidates for the Makerfield by-election triggered by Mr Simons’ resignation.
Last week’s local elections suggest the vote is likely to be a two-horse race between Nigel Farage’s party and Mr Burnham, though the Greens said they were “looking forward to the campaign”.
“We’ve learnt from our campaigning and wins in Gorton and Denton and the recent local elections, and we’ve shown we can beat Reform,” a spokesperson for the party said.
Labour group backs Burnham comeback
13:32 , Alastair LockhartLabour pressure group Mainstream has urged the party to let Andy Burnham stand as its candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
The group’s interim council said in a statement: “Uniting behind the strongest possible candidate and running a positive, hopeful campaign with an offer of transformative change at its heart is how Labour will earn the kind permission to continue representing the people of Makerfield in parliament.
“That is why we hope Labour’s National Executive Committee will ensure Makerfield CLP is free to choose from the widest possible field of candidates in this by-election, a field that should clearly include Andy Burnham.
“Let us seize this opportunity to show the Labour Party at its best and put country before party.”
Burnham in good spirits
13:17 , tom placeAndy Burnham has been pictured emerging from his house for a morning run in Warrington, all smiles.
Streeting ally resigns as PPS
13:01 , Tom PlaceRosie Wrighting, an ally of former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is reported to have resigned as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Department of Health on Thursday.
In a post on X today, the former Government aide praised Mr Streeting as a “generational talent”.
Sharing Mr Streeting’s post of his resignation letter, Ms Wrighting wrote: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Wes as a PPS in the Health Department. He never shies away from the right principled decision, even in difficult times, and this letter shows no difference,”
“Wes is a generational talent and it is with his leadership that we’ve seen the NHS on the road to recovery. The challenges that face our country are enormous.
“As an MP in my 20s, I feel that strongly. I know what it’s like to have living standards worse than our parents’, and I feel we owe my generation, and the one that comes after, everything.
“We must show that we can be better than this, that politics can change things for the good and offer people hope. Because if we don’t, we risk Reform UK and the divisive politics of Nigel Farage taking hold of this country. And it is only the Labour Party that can stop that from happening.
“We need a vision, an open debate of ideas about how we move forward from this moment, with the best field of candidates that our movement has.”
Watch: There will be 'no attempt to block Burnham' from standing, says Labour deputy leader
12:42 , Tom PlaceMakerfield by-election could cost more than £200k
12:35 , Tom PlaceThe Press Association has reported that a by-election in Makerfield could cost the taxpayer up to £226,000, the most the area’s returning officer can claim from the Treasury to cover the cost of running the poll.
The cost of a mayoral byelection in Greater Manchester, which would be needed should Andy Burnham return to the Commons, would run into the millions, with the 2024 mayoral election costing the taxpayer £4.7m.
Union would back Burnham by-election bid
12:17 , Tom PlaceThe general secretary of Usdaw said that her union would back Andy Burnham’s bid to be Labour’s candidate at the Makerfield by-election.
Joanne Thomas, who also chairs the Tulo group of Labour-affiliated trade unions, said: “There is a consensus building that it would be wrong for members in Makerfield to not have the opportunity to select Andy Burnham as their candidate for the Makerfield by-election.
“Therefore, Usdaw’s NEC representatives have decided they will vote for the Greater Manchester Mayor to be allowed to seek selection as a parliamentary candidate.”
Usdaw has two representatives on Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), including one who sat on the smaller officers committee that blocked Mr Burnham from contesting the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year.
Burnham garnering support from London MPs
12:00 , Tom PlaceLondon MPs are among a surge in support for Andy Burnham to be given a by-election path back to Parliament.
Brent East MP Dawn Butler stressed that their party needed its “best players on the pitch”, while Beckenham and Penge MP Liam Conlon welcomed Mr Burnham’s possible comeback as “good news for the Labour Party and the country”.
The Greater Manchester mayor is asking Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee for permission to seek to be the party’s candidate at the Makerfield by-election.
If the Greater Manchester Mayor is successful, MPs expect a leadership contest for him to replace Sir Keir Starmer in No10.
You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief report Nicholas Cecil here.
Starmer meets police ahead of protests
11:43 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer has spent the morning visiting a south London police station.
The Prime Minister met with mayor Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan police commissioner Mark Rowley in Lambeth, ahead of major protests that are taking place in London tomorrow.
Sir Keir refused to take questions from broadcasters, and hasn't answered questions from the media since his speech at a Southwark community centre on Monday morning.
Streeting backs Burnham for Makerfield
11:19 , Tom PlaceFormer Health Secretary Wes Streeting has thrown his support behind Andy Burnham's Makerfield candidacy.
This comes despite the Greater Manchester mayor being seen as a potential fellow challenger for Labour leadership.
Responding to a post on X that claimed Mr Burnham did not have the NEC nomination sewn up, Mr Streeting wrote: "We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.
“The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned.
“Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person.”
We need our best players on the pitch. There is no doubt that Andy Burnham is one of them.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) May 15, 2026
The Makerfield by-election will be tough. Votes will need to be earned.
Andy is the best chance of winning and that should override factional advantage or propping up one person. https://t.co/b1yONxufPD
Powell confirms Burnham will not be blocked
10:57 , Tom PlaceLucy Powell has said that there will be "absolutely no attempt" to block Andy Burnham from standing as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
Speaking at the FBU conference, Labour's deputy leader said: "The election results that we had recently in Labour Party were very difficult and painful, and the aftermath hasn't been all that edifying either.
“We could have further to fall as a party, and we absolutely need to come back together as one team, because we've got to take the fight to Farage. We are at real risk of Nigel Farage walking up Downing Street in a few years' time, and we can't let that happen."
Ms Powell added: "We've got to do our politics differently. We've got to end the factionalism. We've got to embrace all the different traditions of the Labour Party, all the different voices, and bring one team back together, and that means having Andy Burnham as a key player in that team...
“I supported Andy last time he wanted to come back to parliament, and I fully support him wanting to come back to parliament again.
“And just to be clear, I've got it on good authority that there's going to be absolutely no attempt to stop him from doing that again, so we will have him as the candidate, I'm sure."
Byrne: People feel 'let down, ignored and abandoned'
09:59 , Tom PlaceAnother Labour MP has said that the NEC should let Andy Burnham seek to become the candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Makerfield.
Ian Byrne said that “too many people feel let down” by the party, and that Labour must stop repeating recent mistakes if they want to stop Nigel Farage reaching Downing Street.
Posting on X, the MP for Liverpool West Derby said: “Labour’s NEC must allow Andy Burnham to stand in Makerfield. Blocking him again would send entirely the wrong message at a moment when the party faces an existential threat of its own making.
“People are crying out for hope and a Labour party prepared to stand with working-class communities once again.”
— lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) May 14, 2026
Vaughan: Labour must get behind Burnham
09:38 , Tom PlaceAndy Burnham can show that Labour can stop the march of the "populist Right" by beating Nigel Farage's Reform UK in the Makerfield by-election, says an MP.
Tony Vaughan, Labour MP for Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh, posted on X: "I have massive respect for Josh Simons’ decision to resign, which I know will have been an incredibly difficult one.
"This by-election is an important opportunity for Andy Burnham to show how Labour can stop the march of the populist right and inspire people again.
"Andy Burnham is already delivering for Greater Manchester, whether it be public control of buses, tackling homelessness and creating world-class technical education opportunities.
"The whole of the Labour movement must get behind Andy and his vision and do it with passion, with energy and with a winning mentality."
I have massive respect for Josh Simons’ @joshsimonsmp decision to resign, which I know will have been an incredibly difficult one.
— Tony Vaughan KC MP (@tonyvaughanMP) May 14, 2026
This by-election is an important opportunity for Andy Burnham to show how Labour can stop the march of the populist right and inspire people again.…
New Health Secretary seen at Downing Street
09:28 , Tom PlaceNew Health Secretary James Murray spent around 25 minutes inside 10 Downing Street this morning, smiling and waving at members of the press as he left.
Mr Murray became an MP in 2019, having previously been a deputy mayor of London.
Prior to becoming health secretary, he was chief secretary to the Treasury, where he would have had robust exchanges with Wes Streeting over money for health.
How Starmer fell from election triumph to fighting for his life
09:07 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer’s fall from general election victory to the brink of being ousted as Prime Minister has happened at extraordinary speed.
He took Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, with more than 400 MPs from his party elected to Parliament.
Just 674 days later he faced the start of moves to force him out of Downing Street.
You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.
Labour MP backs Burnham
08:53 , Tom PlaceBeckenham and Penge Labour MP Liam Conlon has backed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham standing in a by-election to return to Parliament.
He posted on X: "I’m pleased at the announcement this evening that Andy Burnham is planning to return to Parliament. It’s good news for the Labour Party and the country.
"Andy shouldn’t have been blocked from Gorton & Denton. And he shouldn’t be blocked now."
I’m pleased at the announcement this evening that Andy Burnham is planning to return to Parliament. It’s good news for the Labour Party and the country.
— Liam Conlon (@LiamConlon2) May 14, 2026
Andy shouldn’t have been blocked from Gorton & Denton. And he shouldn’t be blocked now.
My statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/lugHKbMUrx
Polanski didn't vote in local elections
08:30 , Tom PlaceGreen Party Leader Zack Polanski has admitted he did not vote in recent local elections as he “fell short of time” to register while moving house.
In a statement to the Independent, a party spokesperson added Mr Polanski could not vote due to the extra steps needed to register to vote anonymously following recent “antisemitic and homophobic abuse”.
It comes after controversy over whether or not the party leader may have failed to pay the correct council tax while living on a London houseboat.
Mr Polanski had faced mounting questions over whether the houseboat, moored in east London, was his primary residence.
When will the Makerfield by-election take place?
08:20 , Tom PlaceAndy Burnham has confirmed he intends to stand in the Makerfield by-election after the seat became available following the resignation of its MP.
Josh Simons said he would step down as MP for Makerfield to allow Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.
The move will trigger a by-election in the constituency just two years after the general election, though several steps must take place before voters head to the polls.
Burnham must first receive formal approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to become the party’s candidate.
The NEC previously blocked him from contesting the Gorton and Denton by-election, although senior Labour sources say they do not expect that will happen a second time.
If approved, Burnham would then go on to face a difficult contest in Makerfield, with Labour under growing pressure from both Reform UK and the Green Party.
But when will the Makerfield by-election take place? You can read all about it here.
Reed urges Labour MPs to 'take a breath'
08:08 , Tom PlaceLabour MPs were urged by a Cabinet minister to "take a breath" and stop the infighting over Sir Keir Starmer's future.
Continuing to do the media rounds this morning, Steve Reed, one of the PM's staunchest supporters, said the party have had a "dreadful week".
The MP for Streatham and Croydon North said Labour had looked "appalling" to the country.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "This weekend everyone needs to just take a breath.
"We've had a dreadful week. We've looked appalling to the country in the way that we've behaved."
New Health Secretary arrives at Downing Street
07:58 , Tom PlaceNewly appointed Health Secretary James Murray has arrived at Downing Street.
Mr Murray smiled and said “good morning” to members of the press, but did not answer a question about Sir Keir Starmer’s future.
All the Labour MPs calling on Starmer to quit
07:54 , Tom PlaceScores of Labour MPs have demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Ministers have joined the chorus of backbenchers calling on Sir Keir Starmer to stand down, with some wanting an immediate change to leadership, and others pushing for a timetabled departure this year.
You can see the full list of Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir to step down here.
Reed: Starmer is 'unpopular'
07:45 , Tom PlaceSteve Reed acknowledged that Sir Keir Starmer is “unpopular”, while insisting Labour should not repeat the pattern of changing leaders which engulfed the Conservatives.
The Housing Secretary told Sky News: “The Prime Minister is unpopular, but each of the last four prime ministers in turn have been the most unpopular prime minister we’ve ever had.
“What happens when you’re the leader of the Government at a time when the public are so angry with the state of our public services and the economy, is it focuses down on that individual.
“So we can either copy the Tories, they doom scrolled through leader after leader, five I think, in eight years, prime ministers. It didn’t help them one jot.
“What we need to do is all of us come together behind the Prime Minister and focus on how we can deliver the change the British public want to see faster.”
Reed: Starmer isn't considering resigning
07:26 , tom placeSir Keir Starmer is not considering resigning after the huge revolt by Labour MPs against him, says a Cabinet minister.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed denied a report in The Times of another Cabinet minister saying that the PM was mulling quitting.
"It's not true," he said, having spoken to Sir Keir on Thursday.
He stressed that the decision was down to Labour's National Executive Committee on whether Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham should be allowed to stand as the party's candidate at a by-election in Makerfield.
But Mr Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North, added: "The Prime Minister has made clear his judgement is that Andy should be allowed to stand."
Nearly 100 Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir to resign or set a timetable for his departure, with more than 100 having signed a letter backing him staying PM.
Battle for Makerfield
07:17 , Tom PlaceJosh Simons resigning from his Makerfield seat seems to have set a clear path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run in a parliamentary by-election and to challenge Starmer for the role of PM.
The tactical vacancy makes way for Burnham to secure a seat in the Commons and fulfil the mandatory prerequisite to launch a bid for the Labour party leadership.
However, it could be a huge risk.
Simons only has a majority of 5,399 votes in Makerfield, with Labour winning 18,202 votes in the constituency at the 2024 general election, and Reform coming in second in the seat with 12,803.
In the local elections last week, Labour also lost all 22 councillors in Wigan, while Reform won 24 out of 25 seats.
Even if selected by the NEC, Burnham could have a battle on his hands to win Makerfield.
Good morning
07:08 , Tom PlaceWe are resuming our live politics coverage, with Reform leader Nigel Farage vowing to “throw absolutely everything” at a potential by-election with Andy Burnham.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said on Thursday that he will seek permission to stand in Makerfield after ex-minister Josh Simons announced he would stand down to allow the Mr Burnham a route back to the Commons.
Earlier on Thursday, Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary ahead of a rumoured leadership challenge, with Sir Keir Starmer facing mounting calls to quit.
We will bring you all the latest developments and reactions here.
Embattled Keir Starmer faces leadership contest against Andy Burnham in Labour civil war
Thursday 14 May 2026 22:12 , Megan HoweSir Keir Starmer faced a growing battle to remain Prime Minister after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham appeared to have found a possible path back to Parliament.
Mr Burnham said he would seek permission from Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee to stand as the party’s candidate in a by-election in Makerfield.
Embattled Starmer faces leadership race against Burnham in Labour civil war
Coverage suspended
Thursday 14 May 2026 22:10 , Megan HoweOur coverage has ended for today, but join us again tomorrow for the latest in Labour’s leadership crisis.
When will the Makerfield by-election take place?
Thursday 14 May 2026 22:07 , Megan HoweAndy Burnham has confirmed he intends to stand in the Makerfield by-election after the seat became available following the resignation of its MP.
Josh Simons said he would step down as MP for Makerfield to allow Burnham to “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.
The move will trigger a by-election in the constituency just two years after the general election, though several steps must take place before voters head to the polls.
Wes Streeting congratulates James Murray on his new role
Thursday 14 May 2026 21:43 , Megan HoweWes Streeting congratulated new Health Secretary James Murray, who was appointed to the post after Mr Streeting resigned earlier on Thursday.
Mr Streeting posted on X: “Congratulations to @jamesmurray_ldn on his promotion to Health & Social Care Secretary.
“He inherits a wonderful team and an important mission. He has my full support.”
Two Labour MPs promoted
Thursday 14 May 2026 21:21 , Megan HoweFollowing the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting, Ealing North MP James Murray has been promoted to the role.
Cities of London and Westminster MP Rachel Blake has been named as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury.
And Lucy Rigby KC MP has been named as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, replacing Murray.
Liverpool City Region mayor backs Burnham
Thursday 14 May 2026 21:19 , Megan HoweLiverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has backed Andy Burnham to be Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
The Labour mayor said he had been “loyal to every Labour leader” since he delivered his first leaflet at 12 years old, but that he had been expressing concerns about the party’s direction in government for some time and that achievements have been overshadowed by “chaos, drift and a lack of clarity”.
“Our party and our country are at a critical moment.
“We need a serious contest to decide Labour’s future – and that means widening the field, not narrowing it.
“Andy Burnham should be allowed to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
“I’ve known Andy a long time. I’ve seen how he leads, how he connects with people and how deeply he believes politics should not be transactional but focused on improving lives.
“At a time when we’re losing support in all directions, he is someone who can bring people together. Someone who understands our country, who connects with communities beyond Westminster, and who knows how to turn Labour values into practical change.”
James Murray MP announced as new health secretary
Thursday 14 May 2026 20:43 , Megan HoweJames Murray MP will replace Wes Streeting as the new health secretary, following his resignation today.
Murray is currently the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
It is unclear who will replace him in this role.
Labour’s deputy leader says she supports Burnham return to be 'key player' for Labour Government
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:53 , Matt WattsLabour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell is expected to say Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be “key players” in Labour’s team in a speech tomorrow.
Ms Powell will repeat her support for the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s bid to return to Parliament as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election when she speaks at the Fire Brigades’ Union conference.
She is expected to say: “The election results last week were deeply painful and difficult for our party, and the aftermath has been unedifying for us all too. We don’t do hostile take-overs in Labour for a reason. Keir is the leader, and I warned against bloody internal battles reflecting badly.
“If we think we don’t have further to fall, that’s a mistake, we can. We must come back together as one team to take the fight to Farage and show that mainstream progressive politics can bring about the change people are crying out for.
“That also means doing politics differently. Ending briefing wars, ending factionalism, and representing all our traditions with our strongest team on the pitch – being one Labour team.
“Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner should all be key players in our team.
“Andy wants to come back to Parliament – I’ve always supported his desire to do so, and I support that again. As deputy leader, I am confident he would have the support of the vast majority of the party and movement in doing so.”
How Keir Starmer plunged in 674 days from 2024 election triumph to fighting for his political life
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:15 , Megan HoweSir Keir Starmer’s fall from general election victory to the brink of being ousted as Prime Minister has happened at extraordinary speed.
He took Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, with more than 400 MPs from his party elected to Parliament.
Just 674 days later he faced the start of moves to force him out of Downing Street.
Read The Standard’s take on Starmer’s fall from grace.
How Keir Starmer plunged in 674 days from election triumph to fighting to stay as PM
NEC and Starmer expected not to block Burnham for a second time, according to reports
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:06 , Megan HoweKeir Starmer is set to allow Andy Burnham to stand in the Makerfield by-election, according to reports.
A No 10 ally told the BBC: "Keir is focused on bringing the party together so it can tackle the issues facing working families".
Watch: Brian Leishman MP says he would endorse Andy Burnham
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:04 , Megan Howe“I feel that his (Burnham’s) record in Greater Manchester speaks for itself,” the Scottish MP said.
“I also think that he is the most skilful communicator in the Labour party at the moment.”
Watch the full video here:
NEC must allow Burnham to stand as Makerfield candidate, Labour MP says
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:48 , Megan Howe“The NEC must allow Andy Burnham to put himself forward to be the candidate for Makerfield,” MP Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East said.
“To block our most popular politician, in a moment of severe crisis for our party, would not only gift this seat to Reform but would jeopardise Labour's future.
“All NEC members, across all factions, can see this and I hope will do the right thing.”
Burnham 'desperate to get back to Westminster', Reform MP claims
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:45 , Megan Howe“The people of Makerfield deserve a local MP,” MP Sarah Pochin for Runcorn and Helsby said on X this evening, following the news that Burnham would stand in a Makerfield by-election.
“Instead, they are being asked to be extras in the Labour Party’s psychodrama.
“Burnham does not care whether it is Gorton and Denton, Makerfield or Bootle. He is just desperate to get back to Westminster.
“The people of Makerfield deserve better than being reduced to a chapter in Labour’s civil war.”
The people of Makerfield deserve a local MP.
— Sarah Pochin MP (@SarahForRuncorn) May 14, 2026
Instead, they are being asked to be extras in the Labour Party’s psychodrama.
Burnham does not care whether it is Gorton and Denton, Makerfield or Bootle. He is just desperate to get back to Westminster.
The people of Makerfield…
Every Wigan council seat up for grabs in the Makerfield constituency was won by Reform, analysis suggests
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:40 , Megan HoweAnalysis of the local election results from May 7 this year show that of the ten wards contested on Wigan Council that fall within the parliamentary constituency of Makerfield, either wholly or partially, Reform candidates won every single one of them.
Starmer and NEC to decide on Tuesday whether to let Burnham stand in Makerfield by-election
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:27 , Megan HoweKeir Starmer and the NEC is set to decide on Tuesday whether to let Andy Burnham stand in the Makerfield by-election, according to reports.
Read: Burnham's announcement in full
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:57 , Megan HoweI can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster.
Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.
Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.
However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again.
This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed.
It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.
I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been.
He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times.
We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.
Pat McFadden warns of 'political risk' in a by-election
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:49 , Megan HowePat McFadden warned of the “political risk” of a by-election and said it was not up to Josh Simons whether Andy Burnham could run in the seat he was vacating.
The Work and Pensions Secretary was speaking live on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme when the Makerfield MP announced he was stepping down to allow the Greater Manchester mayor to run in an effort to return to Westminster.
“I think any unnecessary by-election is always a political risk,” Mr McFadden said.
“If Andy puts himself forward as the candidate for that, I don’t know if others will too. Any decision on who should be on a shortlist for the by-election would be taken by the NEC (Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee).”
Asked whether Mr Burnham should be given the green light to stand by the NEC, Mr McFadden said: “MPs don’t get to pick their successors.
“It doesn’t work like that. There’ll be a selection contest, there’ll be an NEC process, all of that will have to be gone through.”
'We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again,' Burnham says
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:46 , Megan HoweGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has released a statement following the news Josh Simons will step aside for Burnham on his road back to Parliament.
“I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times,” he writes.
“We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.”
I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) May 14, 2026
I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.
Ten years ago, I…
Farage says Reform UK will 'throw absolutely everything' at Makefield by-election
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:40 , Megan HoweReform UK has promised to “throw absolutely everything” at a by-election in Makerfield.
Labour MP Josh Simons has announced he will stand down to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham a path back to Parliament.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, said: “We look forward to the contest and we will throw absolutely everything at it.”
Labour backbencher says Burnham has 'fighting chance' in Makerfield
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:37 , Megan HoweA Labour backbencher said Andy Burnham would have “a fighting chance” in Makerfield, despite Reform UK’s success in the area at this year’s local elections.
The MP, a supporter of Mr Burnham, told the Press Association: “Game on.
“I think if we can get everything else to align, we have a fighting chance.”
Josh Simons steps aside - what does this mean for Burnham now?
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:30 , Megan HoweJosh Simons resigning from his Makerfield seat sets a clear path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run in a parliamentary by-election and to challenge Starmer for the role of PM.
The tactical vacancy makes way for Burnham to secure a seat in the Commons and essentially fulfil the mandatory prerequisite to launch a bid for the Labour party leadership.
But, it will be a risk.
Simons only has a majority of 5,399 votes in Makerfield.
Labour won 18,202 votes in the constituency at the 2024 general election, while Reform came in second in the seat with 12,803.
In the local elections last week, Labour also lost all 22 councillors in Wigan, while Reform won 24 out of 25 seats up for grabs.
So, Burnham could have a battle on his hands to win Makerfield.
MP Josh Simons statement in full as he 'stands aside' for Andy Burnham
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:20 , Megan HoweIn a post on X, Josh Simons said he was standing down as MP for Makerfield so that the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham can “return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for”.
Mr Simons said: “For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve. It is my unwavering belief that nothing short of urgent, radical, courageous reform will make a difference.
“That must start with a change in leadership. Today, I am putting the people I represent and the country I love first and will be resigning as MP for Makerfield. I am standing aside so that Andy Burnham can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.
“This has not been an easy decision. This is my family’s home, where only a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses at Wigan Infirmary saved our newborn son’s life. But we all must make choices and in recent days I found myself with a difficult one: defend the status quo or step forward and act.
“I have made my choice. I am in politics because politics is how you change lives for the better. My party has one last chance to do that: deliver for the people and places I represent, drive economic growth, secure our borders, reform our state and politics, and change a status quo that is not working. That is the fight. I believe Andy is the one to lead it.”
For decades, Westminster has overseen the managed decline of towns like mine. We have talked big, then acted small, stuck in a politics of incrementalism that cannot meet the moment. We have lost the trust of those our party was built to serve.
— Josh Simons MP (@joshsimonsmp) May 14, 2026
It is my unwavering belief that…
Breaking: Josh Simons MP to 'stand aside' for Andy Burnham
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:19 , Megan HoweMP for Makerfield Josh Simons has decided to stand aside so that Andy Burnham can fight to re-enter Parliament.
He wrote on X: This has not been an easy decision. This is my family’s home, where only a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses at Wigan Infirmary saved our newborn son’s life.
“But we all must make choices and in recent days I found myself with a difficult one: defend the status quo or step forward and act. I have made my choice.”
Streeting 'unlikely to be on Keir's Christmas card list for some time,' Starmer ally tells BBC
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:17 , Megan Howe“Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count,” Starmer’s ally told the BBC’s political editor Nicholas Watt.
“He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44. We could not see how he could get higher than that,”
Breaking: Wes Streeting is unlikely to be on Keir Starmer’s Christmas card list for some time. This is what a Starmer ally has told me:
— Nicholas Watt (@nicholaswatt) May 14, 2026
“Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted.…
Starmer 'very sorry' to see Wes Streeting go
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:05 , Megan HoweSir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry” Wes Streeting had resigned said he hoped they “can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit”.
In his letter responding to Wes Streeting’s resignation as Health Secretary, Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation.
“As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.
“I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service.
“But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come.
“I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.”
Starmer responds to resignation letter from Streeting
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:03 , Megan HoweStarmer has responded to Streeting’s resignation, saying he hopes the former health minister will continue to play an “important role in our party for many years to come.”
“Last week’s local election results were extremely tough,” Starmer wrote in his letter, published on X.
“I know many colleagues saw good friends lost seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and the country we love.”
“It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation.”
Chief whip arrives in Downing Street
Thursday 14 May 2026 16:57 , Megan HoweChief whip Jonathan Reynolds has arrived in Downing Street, opting to walk around the back of No 10 rather than to face questions from reporters outside the front door.
Who could be in the running for Labour leader?
Thursday 14 May 2026 16:18 , Megan HoweIts been a difficult week for Sir Keir Starmer as he tries desperately to cling onto power following disastrous local election results last week.
Newly-resigned health secretary Wes Streeting, has been a major frontrunner to challenge the PM, with supporters claiming he has the backing of more than 81 MPs, which is enough to trigger a leadership contest.
But, he’s not the only contender.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is overwhelmingly the most popular choice among the Labour party and the public. But he is not currently an MP so he cannot take part in an immediate race.
His allies are fighting for a slower, "orderly" leadership timetable to allow him time to trigger a parliamentary by-election and win a Westminster seat.
The other is former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner who represents the party’s soft-left factions.
Earlier she told The Gurdian that she had resolved the tax issue which cost her her job in government and was ready to “play my part”.
Rayner, like Burnham and Streeting, has strong support among Labour MPs.
Under party rules, any challenger needs the formal backing of 20% of Labour MPs (81 nominations) to get onto the ballot.
Streeting has enough backers to trigger contest, says supporter
Thursday 14 May 2026 15:55 , Matt WattsAn MP backing Wes Streeting to be the next Labour leader has insisted the former health secretary has the support of more than 81 Labour MPs.
The figure, the equivalent of 20% of the parliamentary party, is how many must publicly back a single candidate to trigger a leadership contest.
Alan Gemmell told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme that Streeting had “taken a principled decision today not to trigger a contest”.
“I'm sure that we will see Wes making the argument for why he would be a great leader of our country”, he said.
Pushed over whether Streeting would throw his hat in the ring, Gemmell said : “I can't tell you what Wes will do tomorrow.”
He added: “We have had a principled decision by Wes to resign from the government having lost confidence in the prime minister.”
Starmer returns to Downing Street
Thursday 14 May 2026 15:32 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer has just returned to Downing Street, travelling in convoy and entering through the back entrance.
The Prime Minister has not yet publicly commented following Wes Streeting’s resignation as Health Secretary earlier this afternoon.
Rayner would be prepared to enter leadership contest
Thursday 14 May 2026 15:15 , Tom PlaceSources close to Angela Rayner have told the BBC that she would be prepared to enter a leadership contest if necessary.
Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary earlier this afternoon - but has not yet launched a formal leadership challenge.
Mr Streeting’s allies have insisted that he has the support of the 81 Labour MPs necessary to trigger a contest, but that he wants to have a "broad" debate which could take place if Starmer steps down.
Ms Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister, revealed this morning that HMRC have cleared her of deliberate wrongdoing in an investigation over her tax affairs.
The revelation paves the way for a potential leadership bid, possibly carrying the centre-left banner against Mr Streeting on the party’s right.
Phillipson: Labour should 'draw a line' under leadership debate
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:58 , Tom PlaceBridget Phillipson has said that Wes Streeting’s resignation marks a chance for Labour to “draw a line” under the leadership debate.
The Education Secretary became the first Cabinet minister to respond to Mr Streeting’s departure, telling reporters: “The Prime Minister has my full support and I’m really sorry to see Wes go.
“He has been a brilliant health secretary. He’s done a fantastic job and we saw that today, with the NHS waiting list numbers that are really encouraging and what people want to see.
“But I fundamentally disagree with the position he’s taken. I’m sad that he’s gone, but I think this is now a chance for us to pause, take a breath as a party and try and draw a line under all of this.”
Ms Phillipson insisted that the Cabinet is “behind the Prime Minister” despite Mr Streeting’s resignation.
She said: “What I can say very clearly is that the Prime Minister has my full support, continues to have my full support, and he has the Cabinet behind him in the important job that he’s doing, leading our country at a very unstable time.”
Asked whether she was “absolutely certain” her Cabinet colleagues backed Sir Keir Starmer, Ms Phillipson said: “The Cabinet are behind the Prime Minister. I am behind the Prime Minister.”
Badenoch: 'Labour has descended into civil war'
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:48 , Tom PlaceKemi Badenoch has said that Wes Streeting carried out a “hit job” on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with Labour descending “into civil war.”
In a video posted on X, the Conservative leader said: “I told Wes Streeting to do his job. Instead, he’s done a hit job on the prime minister.
“The Labour Party has now descended into civil war.
“While they’re sharpening their knives and plotting in the bars of Westminster, nobody is running the country.
“The problem is not just Keir Starmer, it’s Labour. And it doesn’t matter which Labour MP is in charge. They’re all queuing up to make things worse.
“Labour can’t even agree on who leads their party. They have a vacancy, we have a plan to get Britain working again.”
The Labour Party is now in civil war.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) May 14, 2026
Meanwhile no one is running the country. pic.twitter.com/O5HuozkCmV
Baroness Smith: 'We don’t need leadership contest'
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:23 , Tom PlaceSkills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said she was “very sorry” Wes Streeting had resigned but “we don’t need” a leadership contest.
Baroness Smith told Radio 4’s World At One: “First of all, can I say I’m very sorry that Wes has resigned.
“He has been an excellent health secretary, as we have seen… from the success that we have had in reducing NHS waiting lists, meeting the interim targets that we set ourselves, cutting the amount of time it takes for people to get treatment.
“Something delivered, I think, by the Government as a whole, but certainly championed and led really, really ably by Wes.”
However, she added: “I really think on the day when we’ve been able to learn about the growth that has occurred in the economy in the first part of this year, seen progress on waiting lists, understand the challenge that we face as a country from a war that Keir Starmer, quite rightly in my view, decided not to take us into, what we don’t need is a period of internal discussion and leadership contest.”
Asked whether Mr Streeting’s suggestion that the Labour leadership has left the country not knowing what it stands for is unfair, Baroness Smith said: “Yes, I think it is.
“There is more that we need to do, to both communicate what we’ve already done, to speed up what we need to do to change this country, and to tell a story about the country that we’re going to be.
“But just on this point about two years, you know, I’ve been around for a while. I went through, for example, the change of leadership from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown.
“Let’s remind ourselves that that was after Tony Blair had served 10 years and the Labour government had been in place for 10 years.
“I don’t think I can remember a Labour government who, after two years, had delivered everything that we would have wanted them to do.”
West: Starmer 'could well win' leadership contest
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:08 , Tom PlaceLabour MP Catherine West has been talking to Radio 4's World At One following Wes Streeting's resignation.
Ms West, who earlier this week threatened to trigger a leadership contest against Sir Keir Starmer, said that "the important thing is we are now having the honest conversation which we need to have.”
She said that that last week’s disastrous elections are now behind Labour, with the next challenge for the party being how to beat Reform UK.
Asked twice if Streeting's resignation is what she wanted, Ms West simply reiterated that she wants the cabinet to "get around the table and nominate someone".
She said: "Many of us like Keir very much as a person. He's got excellent credentials on the international stage and he could well win a competition if he put his name forward.
“If Keir Starmer decides he has got the bottle and he can come and fight – fight as if he is fighting for the working people of this country – then he could beat the others, because he is a very bright man.”
Asked who she would vote for in a contest between Sir Keir and Mr Streeting, Ms West said: "Well, we don't know who the other candidates are."
Backbencher: Streeting has 'screwed himself good and proper'
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:55 , Tom PlaceA backbench Labour MP has told the Press Association that Wes Streeting’s resignation letter “reads like he has no numbers” to make a leadership challenge himself, adding: “He’s screwed himself good and proper.”
Polling suggests Starmer would beat Streeting in leadership contest
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:49 , Tom PlaceWes Streeting would lose a leadership contest against the Prime Minister by a landslide result, polling of Labour members suggests.
A new survey by Survation for LabourList, released shortly before Mr Streeting’s resignation, revealed that the former Health Secretary would secure just 23% of support among members of the party.
This is compared to 53% for Sir Keir.
It means support for the PM in a head-to-head contest has reached a new high and the PM holds a 34-point lead over his rival, compared with a virtual dead heat in polling done in November last year.
Streeting won't launch leadership challenge immediately
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:40 , Tom PlaceWes Streeting’s resignation letter called for the “best possible field of candidates” to debate who should lead the Labour party into the next general election.
Mr Streeting wrote: “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 the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.”
Mention of a “broad” field would seem to imply that Mr Streeting wants Andy Burnham to be allowed to stand as a candidate.
Shortly after his resignation, an ally of Mr Streeting told Sky that he will not be launching a leadership challenge immediately.
They said: "Wes has the numbers, but taken the decision not to trigger a challenge/immediate contest as it's clear that wouldn't be the right thing for the party.
"Keir [Starmer] needs to set out a timetable and allow the widest possible contest. It's the only way to rebuild from this mess."
Polanski: Streeting would be 'more of the same, but even worse'
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:28 , Tom PlaceZack Polanski has said that Wes Streeting would be “more of the same, but even worse” than Sir Keir Starmer.
The Green leader called Mr Streeting a “factional and divisive politician”, pointing to the former health secretary’s past association with Lord Peter Mandelson.
Mr Polanski said: “If Labour thinks Wes Streeting is the answer, they obviously don’t know the question the country is asking.
“Last week’s elections show the country is crying out for a break from the failed status quo. Keir Starmer has been unable and unwilling to break with an economic model that has fuelled the affordability crisis, and this is why we have said he must go.
“Wes Streeting would be more of the same, but even worse, a factional and divisive politician, a close ally of Peter Mandelson, who favours an economy even more tilted to the wealthy, and whose record as health secretary is more privatisation and more personal donations from private healthcare.
“The Labour Government is failing and is not strong enough to stand up to the greatest threat facing this country, that of a Nigel Farage government.
“Labour needs to stop trying to mimic them and join the Greens in taking the divisive politics of Reform head on.”
Streeting's resignation letter on X
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:24 , Tom Place— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) May 14, 2026
Streeting: 'Where we need vision, we have a vacuum'
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:22 , Tom PlaceWes Streeting said that he “concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled” to continue in his role under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Mr Streeting said that the Prime Minister had “many great strengths” but that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum”.
The Health Secretary said in his resignation letter: “You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign.
“You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.
“But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday.
“Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords.
“You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.”
Wes Streeting resignation letter in full
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:15 , Matt WattsHere is Wes Streeting’s letter to the Prime Minister in full:
“Dear Prime Minister,
The results are in and I am pleased to report that I have delivered against the ambitious targets you set for me when I became your Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Today’s figures confirm that we surpassed our waiting times target despite strikes, and that waiting lists fell by 110,000 in March – the biggest monthly drop outside of Covid since 2008 – meaning that we are on track to achieve the fastest improvement in NHS waiting times in history.
“The only question that matters in government is whether we leave our successors a better situation than we inherited. Ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes are now the fastest in five years. A&E waiting times are improving, with four-hour waiting figures also the best in five years.
“We’ve recruited 2,000 more GPs and satisfaction has risen from 60 per cent to 74.5 per cent since we came to office. We hit our target of recruiting 8,500 mental health staff three years early. We’ve achieved this at the same as balancing the books for the first time in nine years and smashing the 2 per cent NHS productivity target by achieving 2.8 per cent, which means the investment we’re putting in goes further and that the public can have greater confidence that their money is being well-spent.
“None of this would have been achieved without the brilliant leadership team of ministers, officials, and special advisers we have established in the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS – superbly led by Samantha Jones and Sir Jim Mackey, who has been a knight in shining armour and a brilliant leader of 1.5 million staff upon whom all this success depends.
“The National Health Service is the embodiment of all that is best about Britain and our values. Thanks to our Labour government, it is on the road to recovery: lots done, but so much more to do.
“These are all good reasons for me to remain in post, but as you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so.
“Last week’s election results were unprecedented – both in terms of the scale of the defeat and the consequences of that failure. For the first time in our country’s history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom – including a dangerous English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK. This represents both an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom, but Reform UK also represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great.
“Progressives across our country understand this threat and our responsibility to confront it, but they are increasingly losing faith that the Labour Party is capable of rising to our historic responsibility of defeating racism and offering hope that Britain’s best days lie ahead through social democracy.
“There is no doubt that the unpopularity of this Government was a major and common factor in our defeats across England, Scotland and Wales. Good Labour people lost through no fault of their own. 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.
“You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign. You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. This was underscored by your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.
“As a member of your government, I know better than most that governing is hard. It should be, because it matters. There are enormous challenges facing this country. For the first time in our history the next generation faces a worse inheritance than the last. We have wars raging in Europe and the Middle East that are making our challenges harder, not easier. We are in the foothills of a technological industrial revolution that has huge implications for every aspect of our lives – not least the future of work. It is not clear whether democracy or tyranny will define the 21st century. After the financial crisis, austerity, the disaster of Brexit, Liz Truss, the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and now the war in Iran, the country needs to believe again that things can be better than this and that politics is part of the answer, not the source of the problem. These are big challenges that require a bold vision and bigger solutions than we are offering.
“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 the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.
“Serving as your Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been the greatest joy of my life and, regardless of our differences this week, I remain truly grateful to you for the opportunity to serve and I am deeply saddened to be leaving government in this way.
“Yours sincerely, The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP”
Wes Streeting resigns as Health Secretary
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:10 , Matt WattsWes Streeting has quit as Health Secretary, paving the way for his predicted leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.
In his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, he said “it is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election”, adding “where we need vision, we have a vacuum”.
He wrote: “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.”
Steve Reed visits PM in Downing Street
Thursday 14 May 2026 12:39 , Matt WattsHousing Secretary Steve Reed has arrived in Downing Street, ignoring questions from reporters as he entered No 10.
Mr Reed, has been one of the most outspoken supporters of Sir Keir Starmer in the Cabinet since the turmoil caused by minister resignations and calls from scores of MPs for the Prime Minister to go.
The MP for Streatham and Croydon North was said to be visiting the Prime Minister for a pre-arranged visit to discuss housing.
He said earlier this week he is “confident” Sir Keir will remain as prime minister. He told Sky New's Beth Rigby the PM has "absolutely" done enough to survive and will "still be prime minister at the end of this year".
He has said it didn't help to "chuck out" prime ministers”.
Downing Street spokesman comments on Streeting, Rayner and Starmer's position
Thursday 14 May 2026 12:06 , Tom PlaceDowning Street has said the Prime Minister retains confidence in Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, and the “position hasn’t changed” since Wednesday.
When asked whether Sir Keir thought Mr Streeting had been successful as Health Secretary, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think the record that I’ve just set out shows how decisions taken by this Government and enacted by the Health Secretary have had a very positive impact on people’s lives.”
Downing Street declined to comment on Angela Rayner’s announcement she has been cleared by HMRC, despite Sir Keir previously suggesting there was a path back to Government for her if she were exonerated.
The spokesman said: “I think you’re asking about hypothetical Cabinet change, which I’m not going to engage in.”
“It’s not for me to comment on an individual’s tax affairs, and as I say, she’s addressed quite a lot about herself this morning.”
The spokesman added that the Prime Minister would fight any leadership challenge mounted against him, saying the “position hasn’t changed since he set that out on Monday”.
Starmer insists he will fight on
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:42 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer continues to insist he will fight on amid threats of a leadership challenge, Downing Street has said.
No 10 pointed to his comment at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that “the Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered”.
Questions continue to swirling about whether Wes Streeting has the number of supporters needed to force a leadership race.
Allies of the Health Secretary have briefed that he may be delaying his expected leadership campaign launch because of the growing pressure on Sir Keir to step down.
Streeting supporters claim he 'has the numbers'
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:28 , tom placeAllies of Wes Streeting have been briefing journalists this morning, claiming that while he has the numbers to trigger a leadership contest, “things are shifting”.
Lobby correspondents have been told that supporters of Mr Streeting claim MPs who signed the loyalty letter told the PM last night he has to go.
They also claim that cabinet ministers are going in to Downing Street today to tell Sir Keir to go, and that Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones is telling MPs that the Prime Minister is going to go.
Streeting releases statement - about NHS figures
Thursday 14 May 2026 10:57 , Tom PlaceWes Streeting has released a statement - about NHS figures.
While rumours swirl regarding a possible resignation and leadership challenge, the Health Secretary has instead hailed NHS England for achieving the biggest single-month cut in waiting lists in 17 years.
NHS England confirmed that 65.3% of patients were waiting 18-weeks in March, with the waiting list falling by over 312,000 last year.
The improvement in performance by 6.4% since July 2024 means approaching half a million (450,000) fewer people were waiting over 18 weeks for NHS treatment in March this year.
Mr Streeting’s statement read: “Our plan for the NHS is working. This is the biggest cut in waiting lists in a single month in 17 years. It means we are right on track to deliver the fastest reduction in waiting times in the history of the NHS.
“That is thanks to the government’s investment, modernisation, and the remarkable efforts of staff right across the country.
“Lots done, lots more to do.”
Commons Leader backs Starmer
Thursday 14 May 2026 10:10 , Tom PlaceThe Commons Leader has given his backing to the Prime Minister, insisting Sir Keir Starmer is “getting on with the job of governing”.
Sir Alan Campbell’s comments came after Jesse Norman, the Conservative shadow Commons leader, said there was “Westminster madness”, with almost 100 Labour members calling for the Prime Minister to set a public timetable for his departure.
Responding at Business Questions in the Commons on Thursday, Sir Alan said: “I would encourage him to stop doomscrolling.
“The Prime Minister and the Government are getting on with the job of governing, and this King’s Speech is spreading opportunity and building a fairer Britain.”
Burgon: Streeting shouldn't ignore the wishes of ignoring the wishes of Labour-affiliated unions
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:52 , Tom PlaceLabour MP Richard Burgon has launched an attack on Wes Streeting, claiming that the Health Secretary would be ignoring the wishes of Labour-affiliated trade unions should he launch a leadership bid.
In a statement posted on X, Mr Burgon said: “Wes Streeting launching a leadership bid today would be deliberately flying in the face of this joint statement from all of Labour’s affiliated trade unions for an orderly transition.
“Dismissing our trade unions like this will not help us learn the lessons or help us stop Farage.”
Wes Streeting launching a leadership bid today would be deliberately flying in the face of this joint statement from all of Labour’s affiliated trade unions for an orderly transition.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) May 14, 2026
Dismissing our trade unions like this will not help us learn the lessons or help us stop Farage pic.twitter.com/W6DgoTIA86
Stride: Starmer is 'really weak' with 'no backbone'
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:40 , Tom PlaceSir Mel Stride said that the Prime Minister has shown himself to be someone “who’s really weak” with “no backbone and no authority”.
Speaking to the Press Association outside Parliament, the shadow chancellor said: “I think it’s very bad for the country that we’re seeing all this chaos and introspection within the Labour Party.
“I think whatever happens – whether it’s the Prime Minister surviving or somebody else taking over – unfortunately we can’t get away from a couple of inconvenient facts: one is that this Government has absolutely no plan, particularly on how to deal with the economy, and I don’t see that changing going forward.
“The second thing is that we see complete disarray amongst Labour backbenchers and a party in Parliament that’s incapable of taking the kind of tough decisions – like getting on top of the welfare bill, getting people back to work – that are required if we’re getting to a better place.”
Sir Mel declined to say who he thought would be the frontrunner in a potential leadership challenge, saying: “These are matters for the Labour Party internally.”
He added: “What we can’t get away from is we’re in a period of absolute chaos when our country is facing into some of the biggest challenges that it has faced in many years: of war in the Middle East, spiking oil prices, inflationary pressures, and yet we’ve got all of this noise… going on in Government, and we really need to get this settled down now.
“It’s down to the Prime Minister to try and do that but at the moment he’s shown himself as somebody who’s really weak and no backbone and no authority.”
Brabin: Starmer must 'accelerate the pace of change'
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:19 , Tom PlaceLabour mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has said that she met Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday, where they had a “frank conversation” about how the government needed to do better.
Appearing on the Today programme this morning, Ms Brabin said that Labour would have to “escalate the pace of change”.
Asked whether she wanted Sir Keir to remain leader, she said that currently there was no leadership contest and that she had “no horse in this race”.
People feel let down and I don’t blame them. The PM must accelerate the pace of change, do true devolution, and stay true to the progressive principles of our party. We must show Labour is the party of working people, not Reform, the party of millionaires funded by billionaires pic.twitter.com/Hrz0URqfrI
— Tracy Brabin WY 🌹 (@TracyBrabin) May 14, 2026
Alexander: These are 'difficult days'
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:56 , Tom PlaceScottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said there had been “twists and turns” in the Labour Party’s leadership “drama”, but stressed there was no bid as yet to oust the Prime Minister.
Mr Alexander said: “For all the headlines, there is a process by which a challenge to the Labour Party leadership can be conducted, and that process hasn’t been triggered.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme, the Scottish MP accepted “these are difficult days” for the party across the UK after last week’s poor election performance.
But he said the Prime Minister had been “clear” that he accepted responsibility for the “very bad set of results”.
Mr Alexander said: “The Prime Minister has my support, I am a member of the Cabinet.
“I think for all of the speculation, for all of the headlines, it’s worth holding on to the fact we’ve seen twists and turns in this drama even in recent days.
“There’s a process by which a challenge to the Labour Party leadership can be conducted, and that process simply hasn’t been triggered this morning.”
Reeves to set out plans to support families and businesses next week
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:45 , Tom PlaceChancellor Rachel Reeves has told reporters that she would set out plans to support families and businesses struggling with the impact of war in the Middle East next week.
She said: “Very strong numbers today that show that the economy grew strongly in the first quarter of this year, showing decisively that this plan is the right one to get our economy growing in all parts of the country.
“And it shows that when this conflict in the Middle East started, our economy was growing strongly.
“This was not a war that we started. It is not a war that we have joined, and it’s not one that this Government agrees with.
“But today’s number shows that when that conflict began, our economy was growing strongly.
“And because of today’s numbers and the growth that we’ve seen in the economy, next week I will be able to set out more plans to support families and businesses with the challenges that have come from this conflict in the Middle East.
“I look forward to setting those out next week.”
Murray tells Labour colleagues to 'take a deep breath'
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:35 , Tom PlaceChief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said he hoped Wes Streeting would still be Health Secretary by the end of Thursday.
Asked whether Mr Streeting was still in post, amid speculation that he will quit, Mr Murray told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He is the Health Secretary, and I hope he is the Health Secretary by the end of the day.”
Mr Murray warned against a leadership contest, saying: “I would say to all colleagues, take a deep breath. Take a step back.
“Make sure that we recognise we’re less than two years into this Parliament. Look at what we’ve done so far. Look at the benefits of the stability that we brought to Government, make sure that we don’t go into a chaotic process of uncertainty, and make sure we focus on what people want us to be doing.”
UK economy records strongest quarterly growth in a year
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:21 , Tom PlaceThe UK economy recorded the strongest quarterly growth in a year over the first three months of 2026.
Figures show there has been a surprise spurt in activity after the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
This was higher than the 0.5% growth that most economists had been expecting, and marks the highest since the first quarter of 2025.
The ONS also said GDP increased by 0.3% in March, surprising economists who had been expecting growth to slow following the onset of the war in the Middle East.
Labour MP: Starmer would 'probably win' leadership contest
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:06 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer will "probably win" a leadership contest if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering one, says a Labour MP on the Right of the party.
Durham North MP Luke Akehurst told LBC Radio: "He's happy to stand against all comers. He would probably win. Labour Party members don't like the idea of chucking their leaders out."
Mr Akehurst said he would back the PM.
He explained that the contest would use a transferable vote system.
He added: "So long as he's (Sir Keir) in the final two, I'm pretty robust about Keir holding on if there is a contest.
"But it would paralyse Government. It's causing huge market turmoil. We've already lost £3 billion of money having to go on interest payments because of this market turmoil which we could be spending on public services."
Speaking about Andy Burnham, Mr Akehurst said that the Greater Manchester Mayor would not be able to get back into Parliament in time for a leadership contest if one is triggered soon.
He said that Mr Burnham does not have the time to find a seat for a by-election so he can attempt a Commons comeback.
Mr Akehurst said: "If there was a leadership election starting right now, it's physically impossible for him to get back into Parliament in time to participate in that.
"It's a shame for him. It's a shame for the range of choices that are available."
Labour chiefs, including Sir Keir, blocked Mr Burnham from being Labour's candidate at the Gorton and Denton by-election in February.
What the King's Speech means for London
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:54 , Tom PlaceElsewhere on Wednesday, long-awaited reforms to housing, education, justice and health were at the centre of the King’s Speech, as the under-fire Prime Minister attempted to show the country he can bring about the changes his party promised.
Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his legislative programme for the next parliamentary session, which he hopes will win over Labour MPs calling for his resignation after a disastrous set of local election results.
The speech included bills to abolish NHS England, introduce a “tourist tax”, limit trials by jury, overhaul special educational needs teaching, bring in digital ID and reform the leasehold system in England and Wales.
Watch: 'Very hard to see' how Sir Keir Starmer can 'stay in post', says Corbyn
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:48 , Tom PlaceReeves: Labour MPs have 'important decision to make'
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:44 , Tom PlaceChancellor Rachel Reeves has said that Labour MPs have an “important decision to make”, as she spoke to reporters in Downing Street.
Asked if she was worried about the impact of a potential leadership race on the economic policies she has been working on these past few years, she said: “Labour MPs have got an important decision to make today, but the numbers show that the economy is growing and that when we entered this conflict, our economy was growing strongly because of the decisions that I have made as chancellor, we shouldn’t put that at risk.”
Keir Starmer will 'survive' Streeting coup, says Cabinet minister
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:36 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer will survive the attempt to oust him, says Cabinet minister James Murray.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Ealing North MP warned that a leadership contest would plunge the Labour Party into "huge instability".
He told Times Radio: "Having a leadership contest would be the wrong choice for us to take as a party.
"It would bring huge instability, and it would mean we would end up looking inward as a party at just the time when we need to have all of our energy focused on the cost of living, on getting NHS waiting lists down, on getting the Strait of Hormuz reopened."
"We have a responsibility to focus on those issues that are important to the country, rather than having the chaotic uncertainty of a leadership election."
Asked whether Sir Keir would stand in any contest, Mr Murray said: “He’s said that, he said that on Monday in response to a question after his speech on Monday that he would if there were one.”
Asked if he believed Sir Keir will be the Prime Minister that survives the moves against him and fights into the next election, he responded: "Yes, I do."
Streeting set to launch leadership challenge
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:29 , Tom PlaceHealth Secretary Wes Streeting is also poised to launch a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.
An ally of Mr Streeting, MP for Ilford North, said he was “going to go for it” on Thursday after a showdown meeting with Sir Keir in No10 ahead of the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
The Health Secretary would need to get 81 Labour MPs, 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party, to back his demand for a leadership contest for it to be triggered.
The Prime Minister has vowed to fight any attempt to oust him.
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