John Healey, a long-term ally of Sir Keir Starmer and Labour stalwart, has resigned as Defence Secretary in a major blow to the beleaguered Prime Minister. In a scathing resignation letter, Healey stated that Starmer had been “unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.” This assessment delivers a damning critique of the Labour government’s record on defence.
Healey told Starmer he was left with “no other option” but to quit over the chronically delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which he said “falls short of what is required.” The resignation is deeply embarrassing for Starmer and may be the final nail in the coffin for his turbulent premiership, which continues to deteriorate.
A Savvy Operator in Defence
Healey has been a Labour MP since 1997, served as Shadow Defence Secretary for several years, and held previous ministerial roles. He is known as a savvy operator who understands defence and its challenges. Sources indicate that despite frustration over repeated DIP delays, he was well-liked within the industry. The phrase “one hand tied behind your back” comes to mind, and it is clear where Healey’s frustration stems from.
Dispute Over Defence Funding
Healey is outraged over the amount of money offered to defence by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In his resignation letter, he revealed that he only received the full DIP financial settlement on Monday afternoon. Reports suggest the offer included only an extra £10 billion for defence, billions below the actual £28 billion black hole in the budget over the next four years. This is shockingly short of what is required, especially as threats and tensions rise to levels not seen in decades.
Addressing the Prime Minister, Healey wrote: “You spelled out the threats last week: ‘it is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in Nato, that there could be an attack by Russia on Nato as soon as 2030.’ You know what defence needs. You made the argument for this powerfully in your speech at the Munich Security Conference back in February.” He added: “Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.”
The Prime Minister has lost one of his party’s most experienced and loyal politicians. It remains to be seen whether this gut punch is the knockout blow for Starmer’s premiership, but one thing is certain: he is on the ropes.
