Labour MP Wes Streeting uses Twitter to announce he is to undergo treatment for kidney cancer

Where it may seem a little unusual to most people to announce such a personal statement to the world on Twitter. In 2016 Wes Streeting was revealed as Twitter’s most addicted MP – by posting every 36 minutes for 7 years. Twitter’s most addicted MP had written half a million words, more than War and Peace.

The MP for Ilford North, 38, says news came as ‘enormous shock’ but that he should make full recovery

Streeting, is to step back from frontline politics for a period to have treatment for kidney cancer, he has announced.

Streeting, 38, was moved into the shadow cabinet role days ago as part of the party’s frontbench reshuffle after the disatourous Hartlepool and local election results, said the prognosis was good because the cancer had been detected early, but that the diagnosis was “an enormous shock”.

Streeting, a former head of the National Union of Students who has been an MP since 2015, announced the news in a video message posted on Twitter what he described as a ‘personal statement’.

I want to share some personal news.

From the end of next week, I’m going to be away from work for a little while as I’m about to undergo treatment for kidney cancer in the safe hands of the NHS.

Personal statement: pic.twitter.com/kUk1kqb0BM

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) May 14, 2021

He said: “Back in early March, I went into hospital with a kidney stone and, at the time, a scan identified a lump on the same kidney. Around a month later, in April, unfortunately that lump was diagnosed as kidney cancer.

“While receiving a cancer diagnosis at the age of 38 has come as an enormous shock, the good news is because of that kidney stone the cancer has been caught early, my prognosis is very good, and I should make a full recovery.

“But it does mean I have to take time off work for treatment. My family have made it very clear – and actually so has Keir – that I will not be coming back until I’ve made a full recovery.

“Hopefully that won’t be too long but in the meantime, bear with me and thank you very much in advance for your support.”

Streeting also thanked party colleagues and activists who had worked with him during this month’s local election.

“I also want to say thank you to all of the Labour candidates and activists I joined on the doorstep because, without knowing it, they made such a difference to me during what was a really difficult time, taking my mind off things and helping me to crack on as normal,” he said.

Starmer tweeted: “The thoughts of the whole Labour party are with Wes and his family at this difficult time.

“Wes is a friend and a colleague and I know he’ll come back from this even stronger and more determined than ever before. I can’t wait to see him back in parliament as soon as possible.”

Streeting was a regular critic of Jeremy Corbyn, Streeting made his name in politics by constantly attacking both Corbyn and the Left of the Party, he soon rose through the ranks under Sir Keir Starmer.

He became a shadow minister when Starmer took over the party leadership, firstly in a Treasury role and then as shadow schools minister.

Boris Johnson also Tweeted Very sorry to hear this, Wes. Sending my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, and I look forward to seeing you back on the green benches soon.

Of course, we all wish Wes Streeting a speedy recovery…