Keir Starmer’s authority suffered a fresh blow Thursday when Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, citing a “loss of confidence” in the prime minister’s leadership. Streeting’s departure followed the shock resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stepped down to clear the path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s potential run at Parliament. In a terse exchange of letters, Streeting told Starmer he could no longer support a leader he believed had failed to deliver on core promises, while Starmer responded with a curt acknowledgment of the resignation.

Streeting’s exit marks the most high-profile rebellion yet in a Labour Party struggling to maintain unity ahead of a looming general election. His resignation letter, obtained exclusively by this newspaper, accused Starmer of presiding over a government that had “lost its way” on public services and economic recovery. The move comes less than a year after Labour’s landslide victory in 2024, when the party won Greater Manchester with over 50% of the vote.

Simons’ resignation was framed as a strategic move by Burnham’s allies, who see the Manchester seat as a springboard for a leadership challenge against Starmer. Burnham, a former Labour cabinet minister, has refused to rule out a bid for the party’s top job, telling BBC Breakfast he “doesn’t know what the future holds.” His potential candidacy threatens to split Labour’s traditionalist wing from Starmer’s centrist faction.

The resignations have exposed deep divisions within Labour, with backbenchers privately warning that Streeting’s departure could trigger a domino effect of departures. One Labour MP, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the mood as “a slow-motion crisis” that risked spiralling out of control. The party’s whips office has been in overdrive, attempting to shore up support with emergency briefings and closed-door meetings.

Streeting’s resignation letter, a copy of which has been seen by this newspaper, paints a damning portrait of Starmer’s leadership. He wrote that the prime minister had failed to “articulate a vision” beyond managerial competence, leaving Labour MPs adrift in a parliament where opposition parties are gaining traction. The Health Secretary’s departure also hands the Conservatives a rare opportunity to attack Labour’s credibility on public health, a portfolio the party has long claimed as its strongest suit.

Burnham’s potential candidacy adds a new dimension to the crisis. A former Labour cabinet minister under Gordon Brown, he represents the party’s traditionalist wing and has been a vocal critic of Starmer’s economic policies. His entry into Parliament would immediately position him as the figurehead of a growing rebellion, with allies already floating a platform that includes higher public spending and greater devolution to cities like Manchester.

1. Short-term impact — Streeting’s resignation could trigger a reshuffle, but risks further alienating Starmer’s critics.
2. Medium-term risk — Burnham’s candidacy could split Labour’s vote, handing marginal seats to the Conservatives.
3. Long-term consequence — A protracted leadership battle would paralyse Labour’s ability to govern, emboldening Reform UK and the Greens.

The resignations come at a critical juncture for Starmer, who faces mounting pressure to deliver on his 2024 election promises. His government’s legislative agenda has stalled in Parliament, with key bills on social care and economic reform bogged down by internal dissent. The prime minister’s office has declined to comment on the resignations, but insiders admit the party is in “uncharted territory.” One senior Labour figure, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the mood was “tense but not terminal”—yet.

For now, the focus remains on Simons’ resignation and Burnham’s next move. The Manchester seat, a Labour stronghold for decades, is now a potential battleground for the party’s future. With Streeting’s resignation signalling deeper fractures, the question is no longer whether Labour faces a crisis—but how severe it will become.