Health Secretary Wes Streeting has become the latest government official to resign from Keir Starmer's administration, admitting he had "lost confidence" in the Prime Minister as a leader. This resignation comes just two days after Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips stepped down from her role as safeguarding minister.
Over the past few days, Starmer's government has faced a series of resignations following the local elections. Here is the full list of officials who have resigned so far:
Wes Streeting, Health Secretary
The former Health Secretary resigned on May 14, stating he had "lost confidence" in Starmer and that it would be "dishonourable" to continue in the Cabinet. He wrote: "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."
Jess Phillips, Safeguarding Minister
The MP for Birmingham Yardley resigned on May 12, addressing the Prime Minister in her statement. She called him a "good man fundamentally" but said she had "seen first-hand how that is not enough." She added: "The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed." Phillips concluded: "I want a Labour government to work, but I'm not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership."
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities
Fahnbulleh resigned on May 12, writing that while progress had been made, the government had not acted with the "vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands." She criticised the winter fuel payment and cuts to support for disabled people, adding: "The message on the doorstep was clear: you, Prime Minister, have lost the trust and confidence of the public."
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls
Davies-Jones resigned on May 12, saying that while she was proud of some achievements, the government needed to do more. She wrote: "I have been proud to deliver some monumental changes which will help save lives. However, we have needed to do more and therefore it is with a very heavy heart that I feel I have no choice but to resign." She urged the Prime Minister to "act in the country's interest and set out a timetable for your departure."
Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister
Ahmed resigned on May 12, calling it the "honour of his life" to serve. However, he stated: "It is clear to see that whatever the magnitude of individual achievements and progress, they are now being dwarfed and undermined by a lack of values-driven leadership at the centre. The public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence in you as Prime Minister." He asked Starmer to "step aside and set a timetable for an expedient and orderly transition to new leadership."
The country now waits to see if further resignations will follow.
