New crisis in the Starmer government: the Minister of Defense resigns

LondonNew crisis in Keir Starmer's government. And one that has erupted by surprise. British Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned this Thursday in disagreement with the government's new military investment plan. Healey accuses Downing Street of not being up to the current geopolitical moment and denounces that the Strategic Defence Review has been greatly downgraded after months of disputes between Number 10, the Ministry of Defence, and the Treasury.

This report was supposed to "set out a ten-year vision to transform our armed forces, strengthen alliances, invest in the technology that is changing the way we wage war, and support British industry so that defence becomes a driver of growth". But according to Healey's words, "you have not been able to, and the Treasury has not been willing to commit the resources the nation needs to defend the country at this time of growing threats".

The Treasury only offered an additional £10 billion over the next four years. The actual agreement was for an extra £13.5 billion, but military chiefs considered £3.5 billion of this to be little more than accounting operations. The final increase was only 0.08%. "The defence investment plan falls far short of what the armed forces and the country need at such a dangerous time," Healey states in his letter.

As a result of the resignation, it is certain that the presentation of the strategic investment plan for the armed forces, which was to be presented this week, will be delayed. Starmer would have liked to arrive at the NATO summit in early July, in Turkey, in a stronger position, and with clear accounts, to be able to face the usual criticisms from US President Donald Trump about London's lack of budgetary commitment to the Atlantic Alliance.

A country "less secure"

Healey, a man considered loyal to Starmer, has held ministerial posts since the time of Tony Blair. His resignation represents a severe political setback for the premier at a time of growing pressure for the government to increase military spending in the face of Russia's aggression and uncertainty over the United States' commitment to European security.

The resignation letter is very harsh in tone and will do nothing to help mend Starmer's delicate position. Quite the contrary. "Russia could attack the Atlantic Alliance as early as 2030. You know what Defence needs. Without a plan that is up to the moment, I find myself forced to make decisions that will reduce the readiness of our forces, increase the risk to personnel and operations, and could make the country less secure," warns Healey. A devastating accusation for a prime minister who next week could see a potential rival for his leadership, the popular

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester,, return to Parliament if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a prerequisite for launching his candidacy.

Just a few weeks ago, when almost a hundred Labour MPs called for Starmer's resignation following the catastrophic result of the local elections on May 7, Healey was one of the ministers who spoke in favour of Starmer's continuity. Not by chance, in his farewell he begins by saying that "I would never have imagined having to write this letter, and I do so now with great sadness and reluctance".