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Health secretary Wes Streeting has announced his resignation from Government, declaring he has lost confidence in the prime minister’s ability to lead the country. 

Writing to Keir Starmer today, Mr Streeting said: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election.”

The outgoing health secretary cited the Government’s “unpopularity” as a key factor in last week’s disastrous local election results for Labour, writing: “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.”  

He added: “Leaders tale responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbencher, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.

“Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”

Mr Streeting told the prime minister that his work as secretary of state for health and social care “has been the greatest joy of my life,” making reference to progress made on waiting times targets, recruiting doctors and mental health staff, and “smashing the two per cent NHS productivity target by achieving 2.8 per cent”.

He described the NHS as “the embodiment of all that is best about Britain” and claimed that under Labour it is “on the road to recovery”. 

He wrote: “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.”

It is not yet known whether Mr Streeting's announcement could delay the conclusion of ongoing negiations around the 2026-27 contractual framework for England's pharmacies. 

Mr Streeting, widely viewed as a contender for party leader, did not announce an ambition to run but said: “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.”

Reacting to the news, Independent Pharmacies Association chief executive Leyla Hannbeck said the resignation of "yet another health secretary" threatens the community pharmacy sector with "more uncertainty". 

Ms Hannbeck commented: "Last year alone, hundreds of pharmacies closed across England and Wales, with communities losing vital access to healthcare on their high streets.

"With rising National Insurance contributions, higher National Minimum Wage costs and increasing business rates all placing further strain on the sector, it is vital that the next health secretary engages seriously with community pharmacy and delivers the support pharmacies urgently need."