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Starmer says he will do what is needed to keep UK safe after defence minister quits
Healey said the government fell short on funding as Starmer pledged a record defense increase and tens of billions of pounds more for the military.
- On Thursday, Defence Minister John Healey resigned after a months-long dispute with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over military funding, forcing cancellation of a Portsmouth press conference and delaying the Defence Investment Plan.
- Healey accused Starmer, Rachel Reeves, and the Treasury of failing to match rhetoric with necessary resources, arguing proposed funding increases fell "well short" of requirements at 2.68% of GDP by 2030 versus Germany's 3.7%.
- The dispute centers on "warfighting readiness" amid global threats, including an Iranian-made drone strike on a Cyprus air base in March that exposed British vulnerabilities, which General Richard Barrons, a former Joint Forces Command leader, criticized.
- Starmer expressed regret but defended the strategy, promising "significant reallocations" from other departments to bolster safety, yet One Labour source called the resignation a "hammer blow to Starmer."
- Healey's departure follows Wes Streeting's resignation last month, as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham reportedly considers a leadership bid; Starmer faces potential formal challenges to his authority within coming months.
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Starmer says he will do what is needed to keep UK safe after defence minister quits
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would "always do what is needed to keep our country safe" after John Healey resigned as defence minister, countering Healey's claim that the government had failed to fund the military adequately.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
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