Wes Streeting's resignation letter as health secretary in full

The letter

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to confirm that I have met the ambitious targets you established for me upon my appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Recent statistics indicate that we have exceeded our waiting times goal despite the challenges posed by industrial actions, and we have successfully reduced waiting lists by 110,000 in March. This represents the largest monthly decrease outside of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2008, putting us on course for unparalleled improvements in NHS waiting times.

Ultimately, the crucial measure of government is whether we leave behind a better situation for our successors than we were handed. As of now, ambulance response times for critical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes are at their best in five years. Additionally, A&E waiting times have shown improvement, reflected in four-hour waiting figures that are also the most favorable in five years. We have recruited an additional 2,000 GPs, resulting in an increase in patient satisfaction from 60 percent to 74.5 percent since taking office. Furthermore, we surpassed our target to recruit 8,500 mental health staff three years ahead of schedule. All of this has been accomplished while achieving fiscal balance for the first time in nine years, exceeding the NHS productivity target of 2 percent by achieving an impressive 2.8 percent. This indicates that our investments are yielding greater returns, instilling public confidence that taxpayer funds are being utilized effectively.

This success is attributable to the excellent collaborative efforts of our team of ministers, officials, and special advisers within the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, skillfully led by Samantha Jones and Sir Jim Mackey, the latter being an exceptional leader for the 1.5 million staff who have contributed to these accomplishments.

The National Health Service embodies the best of British values. Thanks to our Labour government, it is progressing towards recovery—considerable progress has been made, but there remains much work ahead.

While these achievements provide ample justification for my continued service, as I conveyed in our discussion earlier this week, I have lost confidence in your leadership. Consequently, I believe it would be both dishonorable and unprincipled for me to stay on.

The results of last week’s elections were unprecedented, both in their magnitude and their ramifications. For the first time in our nation's history, nationalists wield power across the entire United Kingdom, including the worrying emergence of an English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK. This situation poses an existential threat not only to the integrity of the United Kingdom but also to the values and principles that have historically characterized our nation. Progressives nationwide recognize this threat, and our duty to confront it; however, faith is waning among them that the Labour Party can fulfill its historic responsibility of countering racism and instilling hope that the best days for Britain lie ahead through social democracy.

Undoubtedly, the unpopularity of this government contributed significantly to our electoral setbacks across England, Scotland, and Wales, resulting in the loss of dedicated Labour representatives without any fault of their own. Various factors contributed to these defeats, including policy missteps such as cutting the winter fuel allowance and the infamous 'island of strangers' speech, which have left the populace uncertain about our identity and principles.

I commend your numerous strengths. You successfully led our party to an unlikely victory in 2024, and I take pride in having stood alongside you throughout that campaign. Additionally, your courage and statesmanship on the global stage, particularly in keeping Britain out of the conflict in Iran, are commendable.

Nonetheless, we find ourselves in a leadership vacuum when vision is required, and we are simply adrift where direction is needed. This was evident in your address on Monday. Effective leaders take responsibility; however, the tendency has been to place blame elsewhere. Moreover, it is essential to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers; your heavy-handed treatment of dissenting voices detracts from the political discourse.

As a member of your government, I understand the complexities of governance, which is necessary due to the significant issues we face as a nation. The current generation is poised to inherit circumstances worse than the previous, all while we experience conflicts in Europe and the Middle East that complicate our challenges. We stand on the brink of a technological industrial revolution that will affect every aspect of life, particularly the future of work. It remains uncertain whether democracy or tyranny will shape the 21st century. In light of the financial crisis, austerity measures, the fallout from Brexit, the Liz Truss tenure, the COVID pandemic, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, it is imperative for the country to regain faith that positive change is possible and that politics can serve as a solution rather than exacerbating existing issues. Addressing these substantial challenges requires bold vision and more significant solutions than what we are currently proposing.

It has become evident that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election. Labour MPs and Labour Unions desire a discourse that prioritizes the exchange of ideas rather than personal disputes or superficial factionalism. This discussion must be inclusive and feature the most capable candidates. I fully support this approach and trust you will facilitate its implementation.

Serving as your Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Despite our differences this week, I remain genuinely appreciative of the opportunity to serve, and I am deeply disheartened to part ways with the government in this manner.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP