John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

I am really tired of what seems to be Socialist Ideology winning the day to appease the backbenchers et al.
Is it any wonder the voters are turning to the Right.
We are living in troublesome times and this Country needs a strong Leader.

It most definitel yshould be. The ministry of defence is the most wasteful of all the ministries. We currently have more admirals than ships.

Someone needs to go in and sack most of them. Instead of insisting in designing all our own euipment we should work with allies to buy the same standard spec euipment, which will not only make it easier for the armed services to coordinate in joint operations with other countries but be much cheaper.

But we have to deal with now and currently Trump, Putin, Xi and that tinpot idiot in north Korean threaten world destruction between them. We need a better equipped armed service now, not 10 years down the line (will we even be here?) and need more money for defence now.

There will be no need for other departments to have more money if we are all dead will there? Of course defence is a priority. It affects us all. The first rule for any government is to protect its own citizens. Never mind Ukraine, benefits, green agenda. Defence affects us all. I’ve never thought of John Healey as a drama queen unlike other MPs.

Ilovecheese

When other departments want more money, people talk about wastage, too many middle managers, too many high salaries etc. Why shouldn't the MOD be treated in the same way.

The money needed is far, far in excess of potential MOD savings. Sacking a few civil servants and excess admirals won't cut the mustard.

Starmer is more interested in placating backbenchers over welfare and net zero than ensuring the defence of the UK. He and Reeves are undermining defence.

When other departments want more money, people talk about wastage, too many middle managers, too many high salaries etc. Why shouldn't the MOD be treated in the same way.

GrannyGravy13

I think this is the sixth minister to resign in the last few weeks/months.

We desperately need investment in defences, this will provide jobs, put money in the economy and provide revenue via taxes to government coffers.

Not to do so is so short sighted, which seems to be the default position for this and previous governments.

The world is becoming a veritable tinder box, and our PM is like an ostrich with his head in the sand 😡😡😡

Well said!

However the PM seems have ave very deep pockets for Ed Milliband's ridiculous race to net zero

I think this is the sixth minister to resign in the last few weeks/months.

We desperately need investment in defences, this will provide jobs, put money in the economy and provide revenue via taxes to government coffers.

Not to do so is so short sighted, which seems to be the default position for this and previous governments.

The world is becoming a veritable tinder box, and our PM is like an ostrich with his head in the sand 😡😡😡

Great, our navy has few ships and the ships they have are always breaking down, the new Ajax armoured vehicle for the army has cost £6.2 billion and is still not fit for purpose. As for the RAF, do we still have an RAF?

Under these circumstances and faced with heightened
international tensions are glorious government, led by a headless chicken, decides now is the time to cut defence spending. Words (almost) fail m.

I'm sorry John Healy has resigned. He knows that we are in danger and unable to defend ourselves. His pleas have fallen in deaf ears.
I thought the main responsibility of the government was defence of the realm. It seems not.

He should have stayed in place and continued to argue his position internally as all Secs of State have to.

He knows this is a dreadful time to be rocking the boat and creating a bad impression externally.

I am very disappointed in him.

Integrity. He has put the UK ahead of Party and self. A very great loss to the government and the country.

There is absolutely no reason, apart from clinging to an obsolete understanding of macroeconomics, why both defence and the green agenda can't be adequately financed.

Mind you, I have seen critiques of the defence spending proposals which suggest that it is being focussed on the wrong areas. But as I know very little about defence I've no idea if they're right or not.

Silvershadow

I remember when Milliband was party leader. He was useless then and it appears not much has changed. Starmer should over rule him or sack him.

Absolutely!

I’m not defending the government in this partly because I’m still avoiding the news as much as possible so don’t know the ins and outs of it all. But it’s knock on effect from the Trump administration that is now not helping to defend the western world.

I remember when Milliband was party leader. He was useless then and it appears not much has changed. Starmer should over rule him or sack him.

"Was said to be " and " a Whitehall source suggested" are doing some heavy lifting there.

Miliband defies Starmer on spending cuts: the Energy Secretary was (said to be) pushing back against demands to find savings of at least one per cent within his department
A Whitehall source suggested Mr. Miliband would undermine the defence investment effort if he refused to cut net zero. (DT 11/6/26.)

Why are Ministers allowed to thwart the Prime Minister's intentions?

All other departments are asked to make efficiences, why not defence. Throwing money at a problem is not always the answer. Or at least that is what is said if other depts want an increase.

Plenty of money for foreign aid, Ukraine, benefits, the so called green agenda, but not for the defence of all in the UK.

A man of integrity and this government has few to spare.

It's all very depressing isn't it?

It's the Treasury collective brain. Wedded to the idea that a national budget has the same constraints as a household budget and that it can't increase infrastructure investment without the permission of the bond market.

Oblivious to the fact that state spending contributes to growth. 😡

Silvershadow

Seems a shame. He appeared to be very good at his job, not seeking publicity all the time. Hard act to follow maybe.

I agree, I liked him and thought he was right for the job.

Tuliptree

Not sure if I were clear - but when I said he wasn't a showman, it was a compliment and that he wouldn't have taken this decision lightly.

I'm sure he didn't. He has been in politics for I think, over 30 years and is held in high regard by people from all parties. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Perhaps this is one of those times.