Wes Streeting Supports Andy Burnham to Succeed Starmer as Prime Minister
Wes Streeting Endorses Andy Burnham After Starmer's Resignation
Streeting Withdraws from Prime Ministerial Contest
LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Former British health minister Wes Streeting said he would back Andy Burnham to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister, taking himself out of the contest and bolstering Burnham's position as frontrunner.
Starmer announced his resignation earlier on Monday.
Background: Streeting's Previous Intentions
Streeting's Protest and Initial Candidacy
Streeting, who quit Starmer's government in protest in May, had previously said he would take part in any contest to become prime minister.
Support for Burnham and Progressive Capitalism
But he threw his weight behind Burnham in a letter posted on X on Monday, saying the pair had spoken at length in recent days. Streeting said he was convinced there was a place for his ideas on "progressive capitalism" under Burnham.
Streeting's Call for Unity
"We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs," Streeting said in his letter.
Labour Party Leadership Timeline
Nominations for Starmer's replacement as leader of the Labour Party will open on July 9, close by mid-July, and if there is a contest, a new leader will be in place by September.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Sarah Young and Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton and William James)
