UK Defence Minister John Healey Quits Over Military Spending Dispute

The United Kingdom’s defence secretary John Healey has resigned after a dispute over military spending, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to allocate enough resources for national security.

Healey’s unexpected resignation increases political pressure on Starmer, who is already facing internal tensions and the possibility of a leadership challenge.

According to reports, Healey had been in months of negotiations with Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over how to fund increased defence spending. Those talks reportedly delayed Britain’s Defence Investment Plan, which had originally been expected last year.

In his resignation letter to Starmer, Healey wrote: “You have 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.”