UK defence minister John Healey resigns over investment plan disagreement

UK Defence Minister John Healey resigned on Thursday, June 11, citing a disagreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding a forthcoming long-term defence investment plan. In his resignation letter, Healey stated that both Starmer and the Treasury "have not been able, and the Treasury has not been willing, to mobilize the resources the nation needs to defend the country in this period of growing threats." This departure underscores internal government tensions over defence spending priorities amid increasing global challenges. The specific details of the proposed investment plan remain undisclosed, but the core disagreement appears to concern the allocation and sufficiency of funds. Some reports suggest Healey's resignation further weakens Prime Minister Starmer, whose leadership is already seen as precarious, exposing vulnerabilities in his administration.

Sources: Le Monde