{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6b2fc9ba-b9b7-4b7a-b980-e0024facd926/6a05eca20d2228d6b482413d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Streeting resigns, but can he trigger a leadership contest?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b9f75c1a8cbe0c083cee79/1778774258943-25d86a98-81ef-4b9f-9662-3f0e7a8666b9.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary on Thursday morning, but Ailbhe Rea says Keir Starmer is determined to fight on.</p><p><br></p><p>After days of speculation – and a 16-minute meeting at Number 10 – Wes Streeting has finally resigned from cabinet.</p><p><br></p><p>On the same day, Angela Rayner has announced she has been \"cleared\" of wrongdoing related to unpaid property tax, which would leave her free to run in a leadership contest if one is triggered.</p><p><br></p><p>However, sources inside Number 10 have told Ailbhe Rea that Wes Streeting does not have the backing of enough MPs to trigger a leadership contest. So what is the former Health Secretary hoping to achieve?</p><p><br></p><p>And if a leadership contest were triggered, who else would be likely to run?</p><p><br></p><p>Ailbhe Rea and Anoosh Chakelian discuss the latest from Westminster in The Politics Show.</p><p><br></p><p>READ: <a href=\"https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/westminster/2026/05/wes-streeting-resigns-with-excoriating-letter-to-starmer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Wes Streeting resigns with an excoriating letter to Starmer</a></p>","author_name":"The New Statesman"}