UK Labour MP Wes Streeting warns party losing fight against nationalism in resignation speech

Former health secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the cabinet on Thursday, telling MPs he had lost confidence in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership and warning that Labour is losing the fight against nationalism, which he called an existential threat to the UK.

"I left the government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism, and it is a fight that we are currently losing," Streeting said in a 20-minute resignation speech in the House of Commons. "Unless we change course, we risk handing the keys of No 10 to Reform, and I do not want that on our consciences."

Streeting, the MP for Ilford North, said: "For the first time in our history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom." He described Scottish and Welsh nationalism as "an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom" and said Reform UK represents "a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great."

Streeting was flanked on the green benches by Jess Phillips, who quit as safeguarding minister last week, and Rosie Wrighting, who resigned as a parliamentary private secretary for health. His resignation follows Labour's election losses in England, Scotland and Wales earlier this month and a wave of ministerial departures. Four junior ministers and six ministerial aides quit on Monday. Nearly 90 Labour MPs have publicly urged Sir Keir to either resign immediately or draw up an exit timetable, while more than 150 MPs have come out in support of the PM or said it is not the right time for a leadership contest.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told BBC Radio 5 Live she believed Sir Keir should lead Labour into the next election. "I agree we've got a huge fight on our hands," she said. "What I think is a shame is that Wes is now on the backbenches making that argument rather than serving in cabinet, because he's really talented and he's got so much to offer."

Streeting also told MPs that young people face worse prospects than the previous generation for the first time in modern history, citing shortcomings in education, debt, housing and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs. He called for a "new special relationship" with Europe, saying: "It's even more clear we would have been better off leading Europe than leaving the EU." He concluded: "The Labour Party was elected to deliver real change. We still can."