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I think Wes Streeting is the fresh direction Labour needs now

229 replies

WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:02

Name changed because we are at a pivotal point in our lifetimes, and my focus now needs to be on this.

I do think Starmer is a decent man, but Labour risks being wiped out entirely if he stays in charge. I see this in my own family and community.

We need a change of direction and a fresh face who can actually connect and get things done. For me, and I feel for those around me, that person is Wes Streeting.

He’s done a solid job as Health Secretary in tough circumstances. He’s pragmatic, articulate and not afraid of reform where it’s needed (which is exactly what the NHS requires). He comes from a genuine working-class background - council estate and free school meals - so he understands real life in a way some career politicians don’t. He can talk about aspiration, responsibility and actually winning elections in a way most career politicians simply cannot.

And yes, I’ll say it - the fact that he’s an openly gay man is a massive positive. It shows progress and that someone can reach the top on merit while being open about who they are. Representation matters!

Wes feels like the candidate who could actually win the next election and deliver.

I would love to see Mumsnet unite behind Wes - who I think would make a fantastic Prime Minister.

OP posts:
anon2022anon · 12/05/2026 08:04

To be honest, if he's doing a great job as the health minister (I have no idea if he is), then I'd much rather he was given the chance to actually see a job through. The NHS has got to be a priority, and nobody is being put in the job long enough to see it through, or even to give real change.

Motnight · 12/05/2026 08:04

Wes Streeting has done very little positive for the NHS. IMO he will say anything to get votes and public support but doesn't actually follow through. He can fuck right off.

StephQ1 · 12/05/2026 08:11

The talent pool within Labour is as sparse as I’ve ever known for a major political party. It’ll be their downfall.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Eyewhisker · 12/05/2026 08:30

I agree - if only because of the alternatives - Rayner, Miliband (again), Burnham. I voted Labour because of how badly the Tories as destroyed this country (Brexit, triple-lock, Boris’ immigration free for all, PIP, cutting sure start) so wanted a sensible government. Wes looks like the best of a bad bunch but will probably be crippled by the left-wing backbenchers and prevented from doing the reforms the country needs.

Rictasmorticia · 12/05/2026 08:30

I don’t like his stance on trans gender children.

WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:31

You don't think having an LGBT Prime Minister would be something to be proud of? Something to show the far right that we are fighting back?

And let's look at what he's done as Health Secretary:

  • Negotiated a deal to end junior doctors’ strikes shortly after taking office
  • Oversaw recruitment of 8,500 extra mental health workers in the NHS
  • And, best of all, reduced waiting lists and increased appointments.

I'll be honest - Labour have been very disappointing in government so far. But with one exception:

Wes Streeting.

OP posts:
WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:33

Rictasmorticia · 12/05/2026 08:30

I don’t like his stance on trans gender children.

What don't you like about it?

He's had to follow the law but has shown support in the past.

OP posts:
Allisgoodtoday · 12/05/2026 08:34

I'm not sure any Labour MP will be an entirely "fresh direction"; however, I would most definitely prefer Wes Streeting to any of the alternatives (and God forbid we ever get that bloody Millipede!)
Wes Streeting is very articulate, which I like, and gives the impression of getting things done. Whether any of them will though, is anyone's guess.

gudetamathelazyegg · 12/05/2026 08:34

Wes, is that you?

Nobody likes the man. He has skin suit energy and he doesn't represent me as an LGBTQ+ person. Right wing, all about climbing the greasy pole, absolutely awful leadership of the NHS

I think Wes Streeting is the fresh direction Labour needs now
Benjithedog · 12/05/2026 08:35

He’s not doing a great job with the NHS at all. All this talk of extra staff, more money towards services, the claim of shortened waiting list times is absolute rubbish. It’s all smoke and mirrors. The reality of the NHS is very different.

echt · 12/05/2026 08:36

Name changed because we are at a pivotal point in our lifetimes, and my focus now needs to be on this

What the fuck does that mean?
Unless you are Wes Streeting, who is a nobody.

InstantlyBella · 12/05/2026 08:36

WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:31

You don't think having an LGBT Prime Minister would be something to be proud of? Something to show the far right that we are fighting back?

And let's look at what he's done as Health Secretary:

  • Negotiated a deal to end junior doctors’ strikes shortly after taking office
  • Oversaw recruitment of 8,500 extra mental health workers in the NHS
  • And, best of all, reduced waiting lists and increased appointments.

I'll be honest - Labour have been very disappointing in government so far. But with one exception:

Wes Streeting.

We don't need to fight back against the far right, we can simply prescribe Reform and ban them from campaigning for office.

I do like your idea of having somebody from the LGBTQIA+ community as the figurehead for uniting this country, but I think it should be somebody from a minority background instead. I would back David Lammy myself.

Yamyamabroad · 12/05/2026 08:37

Benjithedog · 12/05/2026 08:35

He’s not doing a great job with the NHS at all. All this talk of extra staff, more money towards services, the claim of shortened waiting list times is absolute rubbish. It’s all smoke and mirrors. The reality of the NHS is very different.

I agree and there are prospects of further strikes, he has made a right cock up of it.

SingtotheCat · 12/05/2026 08:38

Motnight · 12/05/2026 08:04

Wes Streeting has done very little positive for the NHS. IMO he will say anything to get votes and public support but doesn't actually follow through. He can fuck right off.

Yes.
He’s had tens of thousands of pounds of donations from companies linked to private healthcare.
A Tory under a Labour flag with a finger in every pie.
I’d rather have Burnham.

angelos02 · 12/05/2026 08:39

I don't believe that waiting times have come down. With the best will in the world, two years is no time to turn that around. I know so many people (not well-off) that have taken out loans to go private for operations. They are in so much pain they couldn't wait the ridiculous waiting times in the NHS.

CorporalKlingfilm · 12/05/2026 08:39

an LGBT Prime Minister would be something to be proud of

It’s duplicitous politicians like Streeting that have allowed the damaging conflation of LGB with the T(Q+) without any political questioning of how this affects class analysis including sex class and industrial relations. Absolutely disgraceful from Labour.

Wes doesn’t give a shit about women’s rights and children’s safeguarding. He’s a self-serving chameleon with a reasonable work rate.

SingtotheCat · 12/05/2026 08:40

It’s from the GLP, so I cropped off their logo from the bottom Hmm

I think Wes Streeting is the fresh direction Labour needs now
WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:40

InstantlyBella · 12/05/2026 08:36

We don't need to fight back against the far right, we can simply prescribe Reform and ban them from campaigning for office.

I do like your idea of having somebody from the LGBTQIA+ community as the figurehead for uniting this country, but I think it should be somebody from a minority background instead. I would back David Lammy myself.

Wes IS from a minority background.

Poor and LGBTQIA+.

I would like to see Lammy as leader one day, but not now, this next election is too important.

OP posts:
QueenSmartypants · 12/05/2026 08:41

I bloody don't. I think he's untrustworthy and too enthralled with Tony Blair, who may have once been a good pm but has since been well & truly swallowed up by the 'dark side'.

I think those attempting a coup within the labour party need to get back in their boxes for now and start taking government seriously, the last thing this country needs is another change of pm. The hysteria is off the charts.

InstantlyBella · 12/05/2026 08:44

WesStreetingForPM · 12/05/2026 08:40

Wes IS from a minority background.

Poor and LGBTQIA+.

I would like to see Lammy as leader one day, but not now, this next election is too important.

I meant a visible minority. Many people will not be aware of Streeting's personal circumstances.

CorporalKlingfilm · 12/05/2026 08:44

I find these political threads so lame lately. They are such weak attempts at destabilising the current government led by the Labour Party elected leader.

I wish the ghastly Labour factions would just fuck off, frankly.

Maybe they could start following the law while they’re at it.

GeneralPeter · 12/05/2026 08:45

I like him but he won’t get it. Too centrist for the party. And he may lose his seat at the election.

JazzyJelly · 12/05/2026 08:45

I do wonder if this sort of identity politics is part of the problem. 'Poor and gay' isn't a positive or negative thing, it's just a thing.

I'm far more concerned about his job performance. Aren't the doctors balloting to strike again right now?

PudgeJudy · 12/05/2026 08:45

Morning Wes🙄

Stoicandhappy · 12/05/2026 08:46

You obviously haven’t met him…