LONDON – Former British secretary of state for health and social care Wes Streeting said on Saturday that he would stand in any Labour leadership contest to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, British media reported.

In an interview with Sky News, Streeting said Labour needed "a proper contest with the best candidates on the field", adding that "I'll be standing."

Streeting said he did not want to force an immediate contest, arguing that it was not in the party's interest or the national interest to hold one before Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had the chance to return to parliament.

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He said moving ahead too quickly would mean "the new leader, whether it was me or anyone else, would lack the legitimacy," thereby extending instability and uncertainty.

Streeting also repeated his call for Starmer to "set out a proper leadership timetable" and give his ministers the freedom to nominate whoever they want to see as Labour leader and prime minister.

No formal leadership challenge against Starmer has yet been triggered.

Starmer has faced growing pressure within the Labour Party following its poor performance in recent local elections. Streeting had earlier resigned as health and social care secretary, saying he had lost confidence in Starmer's leadership.