John Healey resigned as UK defence secretary on Thursday, citing the government’s planned military spending as “well short of what is required at this dangerous time,” according to a statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office. Healey, who held the role since 2022, submitted his resignation to Starmer, who confirmed the move in a brief statement to the House of Commons.
Healey’s departure follows months of internal debate within the Labour Party over the party’s commitment to increasing defence budgets. His remarks came as the government faces pressure to address gaps in military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. A Labour Party source confirmed that Healey’s resignation was not linked to any specific policy dispute but reflected his personal conviction about the urgency of defence investment.
The UK’s current defence spending stands at 1.9% of gross domestic product, below the 2% target set by Nato members. Healey, in a letter to Starmer, argued that “the strategic environment demands a more robust and sustained financial commitment.” A government official declined to comment on the specifics of Healey’s concerns, stating that the defence budget review remains “under active consideration.”
Healey’s resignation comes as the Labour government prepares to outline its national security strategy. The prime minister’s office has not yet announced a successor, but senior ministers have indicated that the role will be filled promptly. Shadow Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, a Conservative, called Healey’s departure “a significant moment” but emphasized that “the focus must remain on delivering the necessary resources to protect the UK’s interests.”
The move has drawn attention to internal divisions within Labour over defence priorities. While the party’s manifesto pledged to raise military spending to 2% of GDP by 2025, critics argue that the current pace of implementation is insufficient. A report by the Royal United Services Institute, a defence think tank, noted that “without accelerated investment, the UK risks falling behind in critical areas such as cyber defence and missile systems.”
Healey, a veteran MP for Wentworth and Dearne, has served in multiple ministerial roles since 2015. His resignation is the first major leadership change in Starmer’s government since its election in July 2024. The prime minister’s office has not yet scheduled a press conference to address the development.
Parliament is set to debate the 2025 defence budget next week, with opposition parties expected to challenge the government’s projections. A Labour whip confirmed that the party will “prioritize national security while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” but did not specify how this balance will be achieved.
