Keir Starmer the brink

London — Wes Streeting quit as Britain’s health secretary on Thursday, paving the way for a leadership challenge and plunging Keir Starmer’s premiership into crisis.

In his resignation letter, Streeting criticized the “drift” at the top of government and told the prime minister it is “clear” he will not lead Labour into the next election.

His letter read: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.”

“It needs to be broad, and it needs to be the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope you will facilitate it.”

Streeting’s resignation follows days of turmoil in which calls have mounted for Starmer to step down in the wake of Labour’s election mauling last week.

It could fire the gun on a leadership contest in which former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has also indicated she could run, with other possible contenders including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.