Is Wes Streeting challenging Sir Keir Starmer: Could Andy Burnham or Angela Rayner be the next Labour leader?

In a statement, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has commented on the latest NHS figures and said: “Our plan for the NHS is working. This is the biggest cut in waiting lists in a single month in 17 years.

“It means we are right on track to deliver the fastest reduction in waiting times in the history of the NHS.

“That is thanks to the Government’s investment, modernisation, and the remarkable efforts of staff right across the country.

“Lots done, lots more to do.”

At the time of writing, speculation is continuing to mount that Wes Streeting is preparing to launch a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. On Thursday May 14, Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and said: “He is the Health Secretary, and I hope he is the Health Secretary by the end of the day.”

James Murray also added that “I would say to all colleagues, take a deep breath. Take a step back.

“Make sure that we recognise we’re less than two years into this Parliament. Look at what we’ve done so far. Look at the benefits of the stability that we brought to Government, make sure that we don’t go into a chaotic process of uncertainty, and make sure we focus on what people want us to be doing.”

However, if a leadership contest does arise, Wes Streeting is not the only politician potentially in the running. Brian Leishman, the Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth in Scotland said he would back Andy Burnham in a leadership race and told the Press Association that Andy Burnham's record as Greater Manchester mayor “speaks for itself”.

Brian Leishman also said: “I also think that he is probably the most skillful communicator in the Labour Party at the moment, at whatever level, and he is the best person that I think that can basically take the fight, the growing fight and danger that Reform pose.”

He went on to say that “Andy Burnham is undoubtedly, in my opinion, the most skillful Labour politician to deliver proper Labour values – I want to see him in Parliament, I want to see him in leadership.”

Brian Leishman also said: "We're nearly at half time, we’re nearly two years through… this Labour Government – we have still got plenty of time if we act now and we act decisively and embrace the radical Labour Party values, we’ve still got time to turn this around.”

“The only thing that will save the party is getting back to its real, true values, core values and principles that so many of our members, our grassroots members hold so dear.

“The societal problems that we face as a nation and all nations across the United Kingdom is absolutely devastating working class communities, and we have got to get back to being in the service of working class communities, investing in public services – the solution for all the ills that we have in society can be found in real Labour Party values.”

Another potential contender is Angela Rayner who says she has been ‘cleared by HMRC over tax affairs.’ In a statement, she said: “I welcome HMRC’s conclusion, which has cleared me of any wrongdoing.

“I have been exonerated by HMRC of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax.

“When purchasing a home of my own with a mortgage, I did not own any other property and had no personal financial interest in the court-instructed trust set up to manage my son’s financial award. I was advised by experts that I should pay stamp duty at the standard rate.

“I set out to pay the correct amount of tax. I took reasonable care and acted in good faith, based on the expert advice I received, and HMRC has accepted this.

“I have always sought to act with integrity, and I believe politicians should be held to high standards – that is why I resigned from Government and co-operated fully with HMRC.

“I wanted to ensure that I paid every penny that I owed, and have done so. I am relieved that my family can now move on – and that I can get on with my job.”

According to the latest odds from William Hill, Angela Rayner is currently favourite to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill said: “Angela Rayner’s HMRC clearance has sent her odds tumbling in our Politics markets; she’s now 9/4 favourite to be the next Prime Minister, ahead of Andy Burnham at 11/4, with Ed Miliband 5/1 and Wes Streeting 11/2 - even as the Health Secretary is reportedly lining up a leadership challenge.

“We’re also anticipating a change of the guard at the top of the Labour party, with July to September 2026 a strong 4/6 favourite for when Keir Starmer is replaced as leader, and that combination of a strengthened Rayner and a ticking clock on Starmer’s tenure is exactly what is driving the latest moves in our politics book.”