Starmer Loses 2 Defence Ministers Over Spending, Deepening Leadership Crisis
Updated
Updated · en.majalla.com · Jun 13
Starmer Loses 2 Defence Ministers Over Spending, Deepening Leadership Crisis
3 articles · Updated · en.majalla.com · Jun 13
Summary
John Healey quit as defence secretary and armed forces minister Al Carns followed, turning pressure on Keir Starmer into a broader leadership test.
Healey said Starmer and the Treasury would not commit the defence spending increase he sought despite rising threats, while Carns accused the government of failing the armed forces.
The resignations hit one of Starmer’s few stronger policy areas—defence—after his government had leaned on support for Ukraine and restraint over the Iran war.
The blow comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s earlier exit opened succession talk; Streeting says he could run, while Andy Burnham is constrained by a Makerfield by-election in a Reform-leaning seat.