Dan Jarvis, the former paratrooper and Labour MP for Barnsley Central, has been appointed as the new defence secretary, replacing John Healey. Colleagues describe him as a 'straight shooter' who accepted the role out of a sense of duty, despite knowing he may only hold the position for a few weeks. Jarvis, once touted as a leadership contender, has worked his way through ministerial ranks, a South Yorkshire mayoralty, and the shadow cabinet.
Jarvis steps into a challenging situation, with a defence investment plan that his predecessor and the armed forces minister have deemed insufficient. This view is shared by senior Ministry of Defence officials and military leaders, making the department difficult to govern. He will be expected to defend the UK's war readiness plans at upcoming NATO meetings, despite concerns that No 10 and the Treasury have not provided adequate funding.
Labour colleagues do not blame Jarvis for taking on the role, though some describe him as 'middling' in talent and unclear on his political stance. One former minister called him 'as centrist as a person can be' and a 'straight shooter' who avoids political drama. Others, however, are critical of the trend of former military MPs dominating the party, with one female MP suggesting his selection was driven by a desire to boost Labour's security credibility.
Jarvis's military background includes service in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He gave up his military career after his wife died of cancer in 2010 and became an MP in 2011. He later remarried. In 2015, he declined to run for Labour leader, citing family reasons, and instead supported a platform focused on spreading wealth across the country.
