UK Defense Secretary John Healey unexpectedly resigned on Thursday, citing the government’s unwillingness to spend enough on the military at a time of rising threats. Healey’s resignation is a blow to embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is already facing demands from Labour colleagues to step down.

Resignation and Reaction

Healey told Starmer in a letter that the government’s Defense Investment Plan falls well short of what is required at this dangerous time. The plan’s publication has been delayed amid reports of disagreement between the Defense Ministry and the Treasury. Healey was followed out the door by Al Carns, a decorated war veteran who served as a prominent junior minister in the defense ministry.

Starmer said in a letter to Healey that he was sorry to see him go, but insisted that the funding plan would provide sustainable and fair spending increases that would keep the UK safe. Late Thursday, the prime minister appointed Dan Jarvis, formerly the security minister, to the defense secretary post.

Defense Spending Concerns

Starmer has pledged to boost UK defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027 and 3% by 2035. However, many in the military say that isn’t fast enough. Healey wrote in his resignation letter that the spending plan put forward by the Treasury would see defense spending rise to just 2.68% in 2030, after hitting 2.6% next year.

Gen. Richard Barrons, who helped lead a defense review that underpins the investment plan, said the government is actively going backwards by refusing to fund its own review. It diminishes the UK’s standing within NATO, weakens our credibility with allies, and increases our vulnerability to the realities of 21st-century conflict, he said.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.