Labour MP Embraces the Responsibility Despite Daunting Expectations

Wes Streeting has shared his thoughts on the “daunting” possibility of becoming the next health secretary should Labour secure victory in the upcoming general election. The shadow health and social care secretary expressed that while the role would be one of the most challenging in government, he would “relish” the opportunity.

Reflecting on his personal experience with kidney cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2021, Streeting emphasized the crucial role the NHS plays in people’s lives. After undergoing surgery to remove one of his kidneys, he announced he was cancer-free, reinforcing his belief in the importance of the national health service.

In an interview at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, conducted by former Scottish Conservative leader Baroness Ruth Davidson, Streeting acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with the health secretary position. He remarked, “It is daunting, it is absolutely daunting. I feel the weight of responsibility that comes with what will inevitably be one of the most difficult jobs in government.”

With a general election anticipated in 2024 and polls indicating Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is poised to become the next prime minister, Streeting highlighted the significant changes within the party that have restored its credibility as a governing body. He stated, “No-one is now saying seriously that the Labour Party is not a party that is capable of governing.”

Streeting admitted that the prospect of leading the health service keeps him awake at night, describing the role as potentially the most challenging after that of the prime minister or chancellor. “However, it is one I would relish,” he affirmed.

Elected to the Commons in 2015, Streeting reiterated his strong belief in a publicly funded NHS, free at the point of use. He stressed the need for a shift in funding priorities, advocating for better support in primary care and community services to alleviate pressure on hospitals and improve early diagnosis for patients.

He also called for urgent reforms in social care, which he believes have been overlooked by successive governments. “There is no answer to fixing the NHS crisis that doesn’t involve social care,” he asserted, highlighting the interconnectedness of the two systems.

Streeting expressed a desire to build a long-term consensus on the future of the NHS, ensuring that reforms endure beyond a single parliamentary term. As he contemplates the responsibilities of potentially taking charge of the health service, he stated, “It’s the thing that keeps me up at night and the thing I spend most of my time thinking about.”