John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

I liked John Healey. A man of talent and principle. I admire him for resigning when he realised his position on defence was being scuppered.

AGAA4

Colonel Al Carns has now resigned as Forces minister. This getting very serious now for the government.

It really is very serious indeed.

Will this be the final straw for Starmer?

AGAA4

Colonel Al Carns has now resigned as Forces minister. This getting very serious now for the government.

Good heavens - off to look at the news.

Colonel Al Carns has now resigned as Forces minister. This getting very serious now for the government.

Primrose53

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

Well it was hardly looking good before the resignation was it? We’re all in limbo waiting for Makerfield. But if Burnham doesn’t win there then I agree this resignation makes things much worse, terminal , for Starmer

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

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

I think I prefer money to be spent on defence.

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.

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

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.?

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

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.

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.

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?

Hear, hear sundowngirl

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

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.

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.

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.