UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that defence is his “number one priority” following the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey over a spending dispute. In an interview with the BBC, Starmer acknowledged the need to “turn things around” but warned that any successor would face the same difficult decisions.
Healey's Resignation and Its Aftermath
John Healey resigned on Thursday, accusing Starmer of jeopardising national security by failing to accelerate defence investment. He criticised the prime minister for yielding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and not committing to spending at least 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also quit, stating that the government was not allocating enough funds to the military and was investing in the wrong weapons. The Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, added pressure by urging the UK to bolster its military strength urgently.
Leadership Challenges Loom
With Andy Burnham expected to win the Makerfield byelection and return to Westminster, many Labour MPs anticipate a leadership challenge. Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary after poor election results, could also be involved. Starmer, however, vowed to fight any challenge, stating, “I’m not going to walk away. I don’t think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a leadership election.” He added that his decision stems from a “deep sense of duty” rather than personal vanity.
Defence Investment Plan Delayed
On Friday, Starmer met new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton to discuss the Defence Investment Plan (Dip), which has been delayed due to disagreements over spending totals. A No 10 spokesperson confirmed that work is “ongoing to finalise the Dip at pace with the new defence secretary,” but refused to disclose whether Jarvis had input on the sums or sought guarantees before accepting the role. Starmer assured that the plan would be published before the NATO summit in Ankara early next month, marking the final deadline.
Starmer Defends His Record
Starmer highlighted that his government has overseen “the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the 1980s,” financed by cuts to non-frontline spending across departments. He criticised those outside government who suggest easy solutions, saying, “There are no easy decisions. Decisions in government involve trade-offs.” When asked about his political survival, Starmer acknowledged the need to improve but remained resolute, stating, “I recognise that, given where we are, I need to turn that around and that’s what I intend to do.”
