Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he must “turn things around” to remain Prime Minister and lead Labour into the next general election, while hitting back at John Healey who resigned as Defence Secretary over military spending.
Starmer acknowledges leadership challenges
In an interview with the BBC, the Holborn and St Pancras MP said: “Well, that's what I want to do. I recognize that I've got to turn things around. We had a very bad set of elections.” Pressed on whether he was admitting to a threat to his leadership, he added: “I’ve always been clear that that's what I want to do, but look, I recognize that given where we are, I need to turn that around, and that's what I intend to do.”
He highlighted “record drops” in NHS waiting lists, that the economy had been “stabilised” with stronger growth predictions despite recent grim GDP figures, and that more homes are being built. Sir Keir also made clear he would fight any leadership contest rather than step aside.
Healey's resignation over defence funding
John Healey quit as Defence Secretary, launching a withering attack over the failure to increase the military budget beyond what is proposed by No10 and the Treasury. But Sir Keir said: “I would just gently say this, that whoever is Prime Minister is going to face the same prevailing winds and for every answer that is being suggested the question has to be when you are in Government, which is about trade-offs, what is it then that you would not do. Easy answers are by their nature easy decision. Government involves trade-offs, so they always have to come with that second question. Well, if you're going to do that, what is it you wouldn't do?” He stressed that all other Government departments had contributed to a boost in defence spending.
Al Carns also resigns
Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns urged Sir Keir to take “bold and courageous” decisions to properly fund the UK’s defence. Mr Carns said the defence investment plan (Dip) did not have enough money behind it and was not “transformational” in responding to modern warfare challenges, as shown by the Ukraine conflict where drones have become a key factor. The highly-decorated Royal Marines officer insisted Sir Keir should stay to “steady the ship” but did not rule out a future leadership bid.
Timing of resignations amid Labour's electoral woes
The resignations come at a moment of peril for Sir Keir, whose premiership has looked precarious since May’s election results across England, Wales and Scotland, which were disastrous for Labour. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hopes to return to Westminster in next week’s Makerfield by-election and has made no secret of his leadership ambitions, while former Health Secretary Wes Streeting may also run in any contest. Mr Streeting unleashed stinging criticism of the PM when he recently quit as Health Secretary.
Healey's resignation letter
In his resignation letter on Thursday, Mr Healey said the Prime Minister had been “unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling” to provide adequate funding for the Dip. Military chiefs have called for around £28 billion over four years, while a figure of around £18 billion had been sought by officials in Whitehall. But the Dip promised just £13.5 billion, of which only £10 billion was extra cash, with defence sources claiming the other £3.5 billion was “Treasury trickery”, likely from expected efficiency savings or cuts.
New Defence Secretary appointed
New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, a former Parachute Regiment officer, went to No10 for talks with the Prime Minister on Friday morning. He said it was a “privilege to serve” as he arrived in Downing Street, and now faces the challenge of salvaging a Dip that was savaged by his predecessor.
