British Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves of failing to provide sufficient funding to strengthen national security at a time of growing international threats.
In his resignation letter, Healey stated that the long-awaited defence investment plan does not align with the real needs of the armed forces and fails to provide an adequate response to the current security environment.
According to Healey, the government plans to increase defence spending from 2.6 per cent to 2.68 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, which he believes is insufficient. He argues that the United Kingdom should allocate at least 3 per cent of GDP to defence by the end of the decade.
“You were not able, and the Treasury was not prepared, to provide the resources the nation needs to defend the country at this time of heightened threats,” Healey wrote in his address to the Prime Minister.
He added that he could not support a plan that fails to provide the necessary resources for Britain’s armed forces and that, as a result, he had no option but to step down from his position.
The British government had previously committed to increasing defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035, in line with NATO targets, while Starmer has stated that he aims to raise spending to 3 per cent of GDP during the next parliamentary term.
In his resignation letter, Healey also referred to the Prime Minister’s warning that, according to British intelligence assessments, Russia could launch an attack against a NATO member state as early as 2030.
The Defence Secretary’s resignation represents another blow to Starmer’s government and further increases pressure on the Prime Minister, whose authority has already been questioned due to internal party disagreements. British media report that Healey was among several ministers who privately urged Starmer to reconsider his position in order to avoid a new political crisis within the ruling party.
Prime Minister Starmer is expected to appoint a new Defence Secretary as soon as possible.
