Defence Secretary John Healey has issued a stark warning that Labour’s internal divisions risk undermining the government’s credibility, in a speech seen as a thinly veiled attack on leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and junior defence minister Al Carns.
Speaking at the Good Growth Foundation, Healey said the party had turned in on itself since the May elections and must demonstrate it can meet the challenges facing Britain, including the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. “Right now, the very credibility of Labour in government is at stake,” he said. “We must get serious.”
Healey, a Keir Starmer loyalist, contrasted his own focus on public duty with those seeking to replace the beleaguered prime minister. “Politics to me is not about the individual,” he said, urging the party to prioritise the country over internal rivalries. Burnham has been pictured jogging since signalling his return to Westminster, while Streeting resigned as health secretary last week to spark a leadership contest that has stalled.
On defence, Healey reiterated the government’s pledge to increase spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, arguing this would create over half a million defence-sector jobs with an average salary of £57,000. However, he offered no date for the long-delayed defence investment plan, which remains up to £18bn overspent, saying it must be properly budgeted. “Countries that cannot pay their way, cannot defend themselves,” he added.
Healey also took aim at rival parties, accusing Reform of being backed by “pro-Russian cronies and crypto billionaires” and the Greens of wanting to “shut down the defence industry”. His remarks come amid heightened tensions within Labour over leadership and direction.
