What Streeting told Starmer in their showdown 16-minute Downing Street meeting

Politics
21 May 2026 • 5:29 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

What Streeting told Starmer in their showdown 16-minute Downing Street meeting

  • Wes Streeting revealed he informed Sir Keir Starmer of his intention to challenge him for the Labour Party leadership.
  • This disclosure occurred during a 16-minute meeting between the two at Downing Street last week.
  • Streeting, who recently resigned as health secretary, made these comments in his first broadcast interview since stepping down.
  • Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday (21 May), he confirmed his leadership ambitions.
  • He also stated he was 'very honest with the prime minister privately about where I thought the Government was going wrong'.

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