Wes Streeting: PM-in-waiting or ‘this generation’s David Miliband’?
Health secretary’s lack of challenge had reassured Starmer and his allies – but then briefings for a speculative Thursday launch emerged
As the unofficial political truce of https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/13/kings-speech-government-keir-starmer-legislative-agenda-next-12-months">the king’s speech approached, with still no sign of a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting, some of his Labour colleagues assumed the health secretary’s chance to go for the top job might have passed for ever.
“There is a risk he becomes the David Miliband of this generation if he doesn’t do something,” one MP said, a reference to another longtime heir apparent https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/25/ed-miliband-wins-labour-leadership">who never made the final step.
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