Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged he must 'turn things around' following the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey amid an escalating row over military spending. The crisis has prompted recriminations across Whitehall and drawn concern from the United States.
Downing Street and the Treasury traded blows with Healey's allies on Friday. No 10 expressed dismay that the Ministry of Defence had requested £18 billion to plug funding gaps in major projects, while those close to the former defence secretary accused Starmer of failing to recognise the deterioration in global security.
Speaking to the BBC, Starmer promised to fight any leadership challenge from Andy Burnham and defended his decision to restrict defence investment. He said anyone replacing him would face the same difficult tradeoffs, adding: 'Whoever is prime minister is going to face the same prevailing winds as I am facing.'
Healey quit on Thursday, accusing Starmer of putting national security at risk and being unable to stand up to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. No 10 and the Treasury offered to plug £13.5 billion of an £18 billion deficit in defence spending. Healey also revealed that Starmer had only offered to increase defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, well below the NATO target of 3.5% by 2035.
Concern also emerged from the Trump administration. Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of defence, cited Healey's resignation letter and called for greater British military strength. The New York Times reported that the US wants to reduce its military presence in Europe, expecting the UK and other NATO members to take the lead in defending the continent from Russian aggression.
Next week, Starmer will face Donald Trump and other G7 leaders at a summit in France, where he will have to deal with the fallout. The defence investment plan, originally due on Monday, has been delayed until close to the NATO summit in Ankara in early July, giving new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis limited opportunity for input.
