UK Defense Secretary John Healey resigned abruptly on Thursday, citing the government’s failure to allocate sufficient resources for national defense amidst escalating global threats. In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Healey criticized the Treasury’s proposed defense spending plan as falling "well short of what is required at this dangerous time."
Starmer, who has pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3% by 2035, defended the plan as "sustainable and fair," emphasizing that it would involve significant reallocations of funding across government departments. However, Healey argued that the plan’s projected rise to just 2.68% by 2030 is insufficient given the UK’s military commitments and the growing threats from Russia, Iran, and other adversaries.
"I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation," Healey wrote, highlighting the Treasury’s unwillingness to commit the necessary resources.
Gen. Richard Barrons, who contributed to the defense review underpinning the investment plan, echoed Healey’s concerns, stating that the government’s refusal to fully fund its own recommendations "diminishes the UK’s standing within NATO" and increases vulnerability to modern conflicts. The government, however, maintains that its plan represents "the largest sustained boost to defense spending since the Cold War."
Healey, regarded as a capable and serious minister, has played a pivotal role in rallying international support for Ukraine and spearheading maritime security initiatives in the Strait of Hormuz. His resignation comes amid broader pressure from NATO allies, including the United States, for European nations to increase their defense spending.