John Healey announced his resignation as Britain’s defense secretary on Thursday, criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for insufficient investment in defense. Healey expressed his concerns in a letter, stating that the country is not adequately prepared for current threats.
Healey revealed that he was informed on Monday about Starmer’s plan to roll out a Defense Investment Plan. This plan, according to Healey, does not allocate sufficient funding to the military, which he considers necessary. Healey’s proposals aimed to raise military spending to 3.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, whereas Starmer’s plan proposes reaching only 2.68%.
In his letter, which he shared publicly, Healey pointed out that without a plan aligning with current needs, he is compelled to make choices that would lower the readiness of military forces, pose higher risks to personnel, and potentially compromise national safety. Consequently, Healey stated, he had no choice but to resign.
This resignation marks a significant political event, given Healey’s previous strong alliance with Starmer. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Michael D. Shear, the chief U.K. correspondent for The New York Times, reported this news. He covers British politics, culture, and international diplomacy.