John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I agree about the urgent need to strengthen defence, but I do wonder what warfare will look like in years to come. Drones and cyber warfare seem to be playing an increasing role.

Not producing our own power could be very dangerous if we keep on relying on imports. What Ed Milliband wants to do is make us self reliant, what he is doing is very important.

Mamie

I agree about the urgent need to strengthen defence, but I do wonder what warfare will look like in years to come. Drones and cyber warfare seem to be playing an increasing role.

Yes, clever warfare, not just throwing money at it.

Ilovecheese

Not producing our own power could be very dangerous if we keep on relying on imports. What Ed Milliband wants to do is make us self reliant, what he is doing is very important.

Then perhaps we should be drilling more in the North Sea like the Norwegians or even fracking. Ed Milliband is so blinkered in his rush to net zero he is crippling the country

Hear, hear sundowngirl

Ilovecheese

Mamie

I agree about the urgent need to strengthen defence, but I do wonder what warfare will look like in years to come. Drones and cyber warfare seem to be playing an increasing role.

Yes, clever warfare, not just throwing money at it.

That's what I was trying to say earlier. It's what the money is spent on that is significant.

How about an aircraft carrier with no planes to fly from it?

Grantanow

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.

Totally.

Boz
We are living in troublesome times and this Country needs a strong Leader.

We thought we were getting one.

Back in 2021 the media, including GNs defended Labour policies, highlighting Starmer's commitment to government transparency, praising his cabinet appointments, and supporting measures like tax readjustments for private education.

While acknowledging that some Labour decisions may prove awkward or unpopular, they frequently expressed optimism for the party's direction.

I’m disappointed that the LP now seems to be following the Conservatives example with changing PM, ministers resigning.
It’s also worrying that someone who appears to have at least some grasp of the defence needs feels he can’t do the job.

Is not allowed to do the job because the PM cannot/will not instruct his ministers to make the necessary savings.

There was some talk a bit ago of issuing defence bonds but apparently that’s been ruled out. Didn’t we do something like that in WW2.?

John Healey ‘s resignation is shocking. He’s always been a loyal safe pair of hands and will be well aware his resignation on the eve of the Makerfield by election is damaging for Starmer.

A series of ministers have resigned giving similar reasons.

As it’s the World Cup, I think it’s appropriate to say Starmer has lost the drawing room

It’s so disappointing

Oreo

Grantanow

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.

Totally.

So what do you want him to prioritise? Should we spend all of our available money on defence now that we can no longer rely on America? Because if we did some people would criticise that too.

I think I prefer money to be spent on defence.

I don’t really want him to do anything as I think he’s lost the trust of the people and the Labour Party.
But I do want his successor to prioritise defence as being able to keep your country safe comes before all else.
Taxes will need to go up.

REKA

I think I prefer money to be spent on defence.

I think it has to.

We need to show that we are a strong country, that in turn will bring in investment.

Oreo

I don’t really want him to do anything as I think he’s lost the trust of the people and the Labour Party.
But I do want his successor to prioritise defence as being able to keep your country safe comes before all else.
Taxes will need to go up.

Rachel Reeves is already talking about tax rises

Disappointed in John Healey. He must know that his resignation will make things worse.

Defence budgeting needs cross-party agreement. Labour inherited a dire situation but it isn’t good enough for them to harp on about Tory neglect, and it isn’t good enough for the Tories to now mock Labour. Doesn’t get us anywhere.

I agree winterwhite. NHS and social care need cross party solutions.

But I think it must have been very hard for him to resign - but he couldn’t really stay could he once his hands were tied?

John Healey is now the 8th resignation in the past month. Not looking good for Starmer.