The Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned after a dis agreement with Kier Starmer over defence spending plans
He said he was left with no option that to submit my resignation letter’ after failing to secure the funding he says necessary for the defence investment plan
In his resignation letter he says that Starmer and Reeves have been ‘unwilling to commit the resources the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats’
He says that he is ‘certain’ that a target for spending 3% of GDP on defence in 2030 must be set but says the settlement falls ‘well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time’
‘I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our forces the resources they need’
Al Carns has now resigned as Defence Minister
In his letter to Kier Starmer he said
We owe those who serve the UK the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it’s done. We are failing on both.
I’ve spent my whole time in government making that case. Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning as Minister for the Armed Forces.
Earlier he had told Sky News
“I need to do what’s right by the armed forces, and if I don’t think that’s right, then I will absolutely consider my position, and from my perspective, at the moment, we have not closed with this deal. When we are closed with this deal, I will decide my position.”
