Wes Streeting's resignation letter as health secretary in full

Key Points:

• The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care reports surpassing NHS waiting times targets, with a significant reduction of 110,000 in waiting lists in March, marking the fastest improvement in NHS history despite strike challenges.
• Key healthcare improvements include the fastest ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes in five years, better A&E waiting times, recruitment of 2,000 more GPs, and early achievement of mental health staff recruitment targets, alongside balanced budgets and increased NHS productivity.
• The government faces unprecedented political challenges, with nationalist parties gaining power across the UK and concerns about threats to national unity and progressive values, while Labour struggles with leadership and identity issues following significant electoral defeats.
• Criticism is directed at the Labour Party's leadership for lack of clear vision and direction, heavy-handed handling of dissent, and policy missteps contributing to unpopularity and electoral losses, despite some noted strengths and international statesmanship.
• The current Labour leader is expected to step down before the next general election, with calls for a broad, idea-focused leadership contest to renew party vision and address the significant social, economic, and geopolitical challenges facing the UK.