UK defense chief quits as Starmer battles over military spending
Why it matters: The resignation deepens pressure on Starmer as Labour lawmakers question his leadership and NATO allies watch UK defense plans.
Britain's defense secretary, John Healey, resigned on June 11 after a long dispute with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury over military funding, throwing the government deeper into a leadership crisis. In his resignation letter, Healey argued the delayed Defense Investment Plan failed to provide the resources needed amid what he called rising threats. He said the Treasury proposal would lift defense spending to 2.68% of GDP in 2030, after reaching 2.6% by 2027, short of the faster buildup he wanted. Starmer responded that his plan would still deliver the capabilities the armed forces need through spending shifts across government. The departure follows broader political turmoil inside Labour and comes as Britain weighs threats linked to Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East.