Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival after two of his most senior defence ministers quit in a row over military spending, triggering speculation about a leadership challenge and raising urgent questions about Britain's security commitments. At the heart of the crisis is the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), a ten-year blueprint for how the UK will pay for new military equipment and infrastructure. The plan was due last autumn but has been repeatedly delayed as the prime minister and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, wrangle over how much to spend and how to fund it. On Thursday, Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, accusing Starmer of being “unable” to commit the resources needed to keep the country safe. Hours later, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also quit, saying the government's plan “is not built for the threat we face”. Starmer has appointed Dan Jarvis as the new defence secretary, but the damage has deepened a sense of crisis in No 10.
The roots of the standoff lie in the UK's long-term defence spending targets. The government has committed to increasing defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Healey argued that the DIP should aim for at least 3% of GDP by 2030, matching some European allies. But according to Healey, the current plan would only reach 2.68% by 2030 – a figure he described as “inadequate”. In his resignation letter, Healey said he was being forced to make decisions that would “reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations”. Carns, a former Royal Marine and special forces commander, went further, calling for “a new way of governing” – hinting he might challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership. Carns has made clear he will stand if a contest is called, and some Labour MPs advocate “skipping a generation” to install him as prime minister. Starmer, meanwhile, insisted he has a “duty” to stay on, warning that any successor would face “the same prevailing winds” – a reference to international conflicts, economic pressures, and tough spending choices.
“Explains the UK government crisis after defence secretary resignations over military spending”
For UK readers, this matters because it affects how the country defends itself at a time of rising global threats. The DIP determines what equipment the armed forces get – from ships to planes to cyber capabilities – and how ready they are for conflict. Healey and Carns both argued that the current funding plan would leave the military less prepared and put personnel at greater risk. The resignations also create political instability: if Starmer is ousted, the UK would face a leadership election and potentially a change in government direction on defence, welfare, and other spending. The row has already delayed the DIP, meaning decisions on major defence projects are in limbo. For ordinary people, the broader context is that the government is cutting other budgets – including overseas aid – to free up money for defence, and has hinted at welfare changes to fund further increases. The outcome of this crisis will shape Britain's military posture for years.
Q: Why did the defence secretary resign? John Healey resigned because he believed the government's Defence Investment Plan did not allocate enough money for the armed forces. He wanted a target of 3% of GDP by 2030, but the plan only proposed 2.68%. He said he was being forced to make decisions that would reduce military readiness and put personnel in danger.
Q: Who could replace Keir Starmer as prime minister? The most likely challenger is Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who is expected to win a byelection and return to Parliament soon. Another potential candidate is Al Carns, the former armed forces minister, who has said he will stand for the Labour leadership. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, is also mentioned as a possible contender.
Q: What is the Defence Investment Plan (DIP)? The DIP is a ten-year government plan that sets out how the UK will pay for new military equipment, infrastructure, and other defence needs. It was due to be published last autumn but has been delayed due to disagreements over spending totals. The plan is crucial for ensuring the armed forces have the tools they need to meet current and future threats.
What happens next is uncertain. The DIP remains unpublished, with No 10 saying work is “ongoing to finalise” it. Starmer faces intense pressure from Labour MPs who are openly discussing a leadership change. Andy Burnham's expected return to Westminster after the Makerfield byelection next Thursday could trigger a formal challenge. Al Carns is also positioning himself as a future leader. Starmer has vowed to “fight” any leadership bid, but admitted he needs to “turn things around”. The coming weeks will determine whether he can survive the worst crisis of his premiership – or whether Britain gets a new prime minister.