John Healey’s resignation is a damning indictment of Government’s approach to defence
The resignation of John Healey as defence secretary is a damning indictment of the Government’s approach to defence policy and national security. The Prime Minister has failed to grasp the importance of shoring up Britain’s depleted defence capabilities in the face of a tsunami of global threats.
There is no denying that Sir Keir Starmer and his Government face an invidious task of balancing a budget against a volatile economic backdrop. On top of that are the societal challenges that also need addressing. But the PM should have recognised that without robust defence capabilities, Britain is forever at risk of being undermined, regardless of the policies the Government enacts.
Healey’s piercing resignation letter points out that Starmer had been “unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats”.
The Defence Investment Plan (Dip) was an opportunity for the Labour Government to correct its course, following countless warnings from defence experts. Instead, after long delays, when the financial settlement for the Dip finally arrived at the defence secretary’s desk on Monday afternoon it fell “well short of what is required”, in Healey’s own words.
US President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy should have been a wake up call for all European nations, not least Britain. The country has been far too reliant on the US to cover shortfalls in its own defence capabilities.
Politically, the timing of Healey’s resignation is just as damaging. It comes a week before the Makerfield by-election, where Labour has a fight on its hands courtesy of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. If Labour does hold onto the seat, Starmer then is likely to face a leadership challenge from Andy Burnham.