John Healey has resigned as defence secretary after months of tension with Sir Keir Starmer over funding for the armed forces, delivering a stinging indictment of the government’s commitment to defence. In his resignation letter, Healey said the draft Defence Investment Plan “falls well short of what is required for defence”, according to a copy seen by City A.M.. He told the Prime Minister that Starmer was “unable” and the Treasury “unwilling” to provide the essential budget needed for the military, the Financial Times reported.
The resignation caps a bitter behind-the-scenes battle over spending on the armed forces. Healey had been pushing for a significant uplift in the defence budget, but faced resistance from Downing Street and the Treasury. The Defence Investment Plan, which was due to set out long-term spending commitments, became the flashpoint. Healey’s letter made clear he believed the plan was inadequate to meet the growing threats facing the UK.
“John Healey resigns as defence secretary, saying Starmer 'unable' and Treasury 'unwilling' to fund armed forces”
“The government’s draft for the Defence Investment Plan falls well short of what is required for defence,” Healey wrote, according to City A.M.. The FT reported that he blamed both Starmer and the Treasury for the impasse, saying the Prime Minister was “unable” and the Treasury “unwilling” to deliver the necessary funds.
The resignation leaves Starmer facing a major cabinet reshuffle and questions over his government’s commitment to defence spending. Healey had been a key figure in the Labour leadership’s security team, and his departure is likely to intensify pressure on Starmer to increase military spending. The defence brief is one of the most sensitive in government, with the UK facing challenges from Russia and instability in the Middle East.
No successor has been named, and the fallout from Healey’s resignation is expected to dominate the political agenda in the coming days. The Defence Investment Plan remains in limbo, with the government yet to confirm whether it will revise the proposals or push ahead without the backing of its former defence secretary.