30 Facts About Wes Streeting

Early Life and Family Background

Wes Streeting's journey from a council flat in East London to the halls of Parliament is nothing short of inspiring. His early life was marked by challenges that shaped his character and ambitions.

1. Early Life and Family: Streeting was born to a teenage mother and grew up in a council flat in Stepney, East London. His family background was marked by poverty and hardship.

2. Grandfathers: The title of his memoir, "One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up," refers to his two grandfathers. His paternal grandfather, Bill Streeting, was a Royal Navy veteran and a traditional working-class Tory, while his maternal grandfather was an armed robber who knew the Krays.

3. Christian Faith: Streeting is a devout Christian and attended a non-denominational Christian secondary school, Westminster City School. He continues to attend St Margaret’s church, which is the parish church of the House of Commons.

Education and Early Activism

Streeting's academic journey and early activism laid the foundation for his future political career. His time at Cambridge and involvement in student politics were pivotal.

4. Education: Streeting did well in school and attended Westminster City School, a state secondary school near Parliament. He then went on to study history at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

5. Cambridge University: During his time at Cambridge, Streeting became involved in student politics and was elected President of the Cambridge Students' Union for the 2004–05 academic year. He campaigned against the proposed closure of Cambridge University's architecture department.

6. Coming Out: Streeting came out as gay in his second year of university. This experience has deeply influenced his perspective on social justice and equality.

Career in Student and Educational Organizations

Streeting's leadership roles in various student and educational organizations showcased his commitment to social justice and equality.

7. National Union of Students (NUS): After completing his term as President of the Cambridge Students' Union, Streeting became the President of the NUS. He was a strong proponent of modernizing the union's governance structures and served as a non-executive director of NUS Services Ltd and Endsleigh Insurance.

8. Helena Kennedy Foundation: Following his tenure as NUS President, Streeting served as the Chief Executive of the Helena Kennedy Foundation, an educational charity that promotes access to higher education for students from further education colleges.

9. Stonewall: Streeting was the head of education at Stonewall, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights charity. He led their Education for All campaign to tackle homophobia in schools.

Political Career and Achievements

Streeting's political career has been marked by significant achievements and roles within the Labour Party. His journey from local politics to the national stage is noteworthy.

10. Labour Party Involvement: Streeting has been an active member of the Labour Party since his university days. He briefly left the party due to his opposition to the Iraq War but returned after the party's stance changed.

11. Local Politics: Streeting was elected as a Labour councillor for Redbridge Council in 2010. He eventually became the deputy leader and cabinet member for health and wellbeing before standing for Parliament in 2015.

12. MP for Ilford North: Streeting has been the MP for Ilford North since 2015. He won the seat in 2019 with a 5,218 majority but had to fight hard to retain it in the 2021 election, winning by just 528 votes.

13. Shadow Cabinet Roles: Streeting has held several shadow cabinet roles, including Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Shadow Minister for Schools, and Shadow Secretary of State for Child Poverty. He was promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in November 2021.

14. Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary: As Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, Streeting played a crucial role in Labour's election campaign. He emphasized the need for a patient-centered approach to healthcare and proposed a 10-year plan for the NHS that would involve genuine consultation with healthcare professionals.

Personal Challenges and Convictions

Streeting's personal challenges, including his battle with kidney cancer, have shaped his convictions and approach to politics.

15. Kidney Cancer Diagnosis: In May 2021, Streeting was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the age of 38. He underwent surgery and returned to work quickly, which has influenced his perspective on the NHS and healthcare policy.

16. Personal Convictions in Politics: Streeting's driving conviction in politics is to ensure that people, particularly those from working-class backgrounds like his own, have the same choices, chances, and security in life as those from wealthier backgrounds.

Political Ideology and Positions

Streeting's political ideology and positions on various issues reflect his commitment to social justice and equality.

17. Political Ideology: Streeting supports an increase in corporation tax and suggests replacing inheritance tax with a lifetime gifts tax. He also advocates for taxing capital gains on the same basis as income.

18. Brexit Position: Streeting campaigned in favor of the United Kingdom remaining in the European Union during the 2016 referendum. He believes that a hard Brexit would address sovereignty concerns but would provoke significant economic harm.

19. Immigration Policy: Streeting argues that better education and training for the British population are necessary, but he also acknowledges the need to attract people from overseas, particularly with an ageing population and shrinking working-age population.

Public Service and Media Presence

Streeting's commitment to public service and his media presence have made him a prominent figure in British politics.

20. Public Service: Streeting views politics as a noble calling and an act of public service. He believes in serving and giving back to others, which is reflected in his commitment to social justice and equality.

21. Media Presence: Streeting is known for his confidence and fluency in front of a microphone. He has appeared on various media platforms, including Newsnight, where he has engaged in high-profile debates.

Support for LGBTQ+ Rights and Faith

Streeting's advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and his faith have been central to his public life and political career.

22. Relationship with Labour Leadership: Streeting endorsed Jess Phillips for the 2020 Labour leadership election and Rosena Allin-Khan for the deputy leadership election. However, he later supported Ian Murray for the deputy leadership after Allin-Khan was defeated.

23. Support for LGBTQ+ Rights: As an ex-Stonewall employee, Streeting is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He believes in the importance of tackling homophobia in schools and promoting equality for all.

24. Faith and Sexuality: Streeting has spoken candidly about reconciling his faith with his sexuality. He believes that good faith discussions are essential, even when disagreeing on tough issues, and that such conversations can help build bridges across religious and political divides.

NHS Reforms and Personal Experiences

Streeting's proposals for NHS reforms and his personal experiences with healthcare have shaped his approach to health policy.

25. NHS Reforms: As Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, Streeting proposed establishing a partnership of mutual accountability between system leaders and the center. He aims to set people free on the frontlines to innovate and support them in proving their success.

26. Kidney Stone Incident: Streeting’s diagnosis with kidney cancer followed an incident where he was hospitalized for a kidney stone. This experience has shaped his perspective on healthcare and the importance of early detection.

Public Image and Future Leadership Potential

Streeting's public image and potential for future leadership make him a compelling figure in British politics.

27. Party Line on Sex Education: While Streeting is open about his views on sex education, he tends to stick to a party line when discussing safeguarding and consent. However, he acknowledges that traditional views on marriage, sexuality, and gender should be respected while also ensuring they do not lead to discrimination.

28. Public Image: Streeting is known for his down-to-earth and artless approach to politics. He has been praised for his honesty and willingness to engage in difficult conversations, even if they are unpopular.

29. Future Leadership Potential: Streeting is considered one of Labour’s brightest stars and is hotly tipped as a potential future leader. His background, confidence, and commitment to social justice make him a compelling figure in British politics.

30. Privy Council Membership: Streeting was sworn into the Privy Council on July 10, 2024, marking a significant milestone in his career as a public servant.

Wes Streeting: A Remarkable Journey

Wes Streeting's life is a testament to determination and resilience. From his humble beginnings in a council flat in Stepney to becoming a key figure in British politics, his story inspires many. Streeting's commitment to social justice, his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and his dedication to improving the NHS highlight his passion for public service. His personal experiences, including his battle with kidney cancer, have shaped his views and policies, making him a relatable and empathetic leader. As Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, Streeting continues to push for reforms that prioritize patient care and innovation. His journey underscores the importance of hard work, education, and the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can make a significant impact. Wes Streeting's future in politics looks promising, and his story will undoubtedly continue to inspire and influence many.