Starmer vows to fight on after defence secretary Healey quits over spending row

Defence secretary resigns over funding

John Healey resigned as defence secretary on Thursday, warning that the government is not spending enough on the military to keep Britain safe "at this time of rising threats." In his resignation letter, he accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being unable to stand up to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and of failing to commit the necessary resources. Armed forces minister Al Carns also quit, along with two ministerial aides, deepening the crisis.

“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.”

Starmer fights back

In a BBC interview on Friday, Starmer insisted he would not walk away, saying "I'm not going to go away." He acknowledged that he has "got to turn things around" after a "very bad set of elections" but warned that any successor would face the same "prevailing winds" of international conflict. He met new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton to discuss the delayed Defence Investment Plan.

“I don't think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a leadership election.”

The key events:

The spending gap

The Ministry of Defence had sought an additional £18.5 billion over four years to meet commitments and accelerate progress towards the 3.5%-of-GDP target by 2035. Healey wanted spending to reach 3% of GDP by 2030. The Treasury, however, offered only a £13.5 billion uplift, funded by cutting 1% from other departments' capital budgets and using reserves. Starmer defended the plan as "delivering an unprecedented increase in defence spending in a sustainable way." The funding gap triggered the resignations.

MoD demand18.5

Treasury offer13.5

MoD demand

18.5 £bn over 4 years

Treasury offer

13.5 £bn over 4 years

Data from the article text

Political challengers gather

Andy Burnham is widely expected to win the Makerfield by-election next Thursday and return to Westminster, with many Labour MPs anticipating an immediate leadership challenge. Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned last month, would also run. Starmer said he would fight, but admitted the need to turn around the party's fortunes.

International pressure

The White House had told Starmer there is a "great need" to boost defence spending, and the UK's role in supporting Ukraine and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz could be affected. Starmer has been praised for his steadiness on the world stage, but Healey's departure strikes at that reputation.

“He's been given quite a bit of credit by the public for having to deal with Trump and doing so with a level of steadiness and calm.”