(Adnkronos) – The British Defense Secretary, John Healey, has resigned, citing in a letter disagreements with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the defense budget. “This is a letter I never thought I would write, and I do so now with great regret and reluctance,” writes Healey, emphasizing that the current moment – with the war in the Middle East and Ukraine – “has required further investment through the Defense Investment Plan. The excellent and in-depth work that concluded in January, under my, your (Starmer’s) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s (Rachel Reeves, ed.) supervision, confirmed the scale of the challenge and the growing defense needs. Since then, you have not been able, and the Treasury has not been willing, to commit the resources the Nation needs to defend the country in this time of increasing threats”.
“As we have discussed several times, I am convinced that the United Kingdom must set the goal of allocating 3% of GDP to defense by 2030. Such a commitment would enjoy strong cross-party support. Other European allies are also increasing spending in this direction,” Healey continued, acknowledging “the difficulties” that the transfer of resources towards defense entails for government colleagues.
“As I have explained to you, there are credible ways to address the medium-term funding challenges, through greater multinational cooperation and following the example of other European countries, so as to preserve our ability to achieve the Labour government’s objectives,” added the now former Defense Secretary, always addressing Starmer. But the budget allocated so far, according to Healey, “is well below what is needed for defense and for the country at such a dangerous time,” with spending reaching “just 2.68% of GDP in 2030, when next year we will already reach 2.6% thanks to already planned investments”.
“Without a Defense Investment Plan commensurate with this historical phase, I would be forced to make decisions that would reduce the operational readiness of our armed forces, increase risks for personnel engaged in missions, and the country could be less secure – Healey concluded – After explaining to you that I could not accept an agreement that did not guarantee our armed forces the necessary resources, I have no choice but to submit my resignation as Secretary of Defense”.
