John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

Al Carns being interviewed on GB News….

I’m still a Labour voter, if I was in Makerfield I’d vote Burnham.
I saw the WFA , pip, opposition to removing two child benefit as sensible proposals, I still believe the supporters and back benchers could have been persuaded to support the policies if they’d been canvassed and properly introduced. I like many posters here don’t need WFA, pip /dla was not going to be removed from cancer payments. That was the first indication that Starmer and his team couldn’t communicate, wanted to simply impose. He’s got to go

John Healy has been warning for a long time that we are in danger but his words haven't been heeded. We need a lot more investment in defence. The Tories started the decline and Labour hasn't done enough.
I think the only way is raising taxes which should all be spent on defence and not find its way into another pot.
Healy wanted the massive welfare bill looked at too.
If we have to fight a war we will all suffer if our defence is feeble.

I hope John Healey will return in due course. He’s an experienced, well respected and competent minister, and a sensible man. I’m sure he thought long and hard before resigning, I can understand his reasons, and I hope this tactic works well for him and the country’s defensive capacity going forward.

Why doesn’t Starmer go ? He has been dreadful from the start. Then the Labour Party can move onwards and hopefully upwards.

Another nail in Starmers coffin it's only a matter of time now, I believe when Burnham gets elected it will all be over

Defence spending in the last 4 yrs we have seen a quantum leap in warfare, cheap drones have made obsolete the most modern armaments. Ukraine has lost 1000 tanks, Russia 3 times that number, Iran is countering the US with massed attacks by low tech weapons.

What is the future of defence for the UK ?, high tech as we are using now or low tech that Ukraine is using, what is the future for warfare, a soldier ( or AI) in a safe bunker controlling drones is going to cost a lot less than missiles and aircraft that cost £millions each.

Two Parliamentary Secretaries also resigned yesterday according to breakfast news ITV

Wotapalaver

^As a prime minister Keir Starmer is nearly as big a joke as Liz Truss.^

But nobody seriously expected Truss to last longer than a lettuce, or to be any more effective either. I so desperately wanted Starmer to be the strong, focused and determined leader he promised to be but he's been a weak, hesitant and pusillanimous puppet who's lurched from one debacle to another. I just want to see the back of him. And his bloody Chancellor.

It would have been better if Starmer had had the lifetime of a lettuce, as it is he is as stale as a packet of biscuits found at the back of a cupboard.

We must strengthen our defence, no question about that but if Reeves raises taxes in order to do so there will be hell to pay. Time for another U-turn and reinstate the two-cap benefit. That £3.5b will be much better spent in protecting all of us.

As a prime minister Keir Starmer is nearly as big a joke as Liz Truss.

But nobody seriously expected Truss to last longer than a lettuce, or to be any more effective either. I so desperately wanted Starmer to be the strong, focused and determined leader he promised to be but he's been a weak, hesitant and pusillanimous puppet who's lurched from one debacle to another. I just want to see the back of him. And his bloody Chancellor.

GrannyGravy13

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 think it will be a long time before we are seen as a strong country,a very long time..

Armed forces minister, Al Carns has also resigned.

Like others i will widen my comments. I thought the last government was the worst and most incompetent we have ever had, but they have been surpassed by this Labour government. As a prime minister Keir Starmer is nearly as big a joke as Liz Truss.

However the last two months have shown that despite all his cant about wanting to serve the country etc, we are seeing him for what he is a power-hungry man determined to keep his hands on the levers of power until someone levers them off. If he really cared so much for the country he would have resigned some months ago.

Maremia

No need for a GE, thanks. Just get on with the leadership battle.

Yes.

This GE stuff is just high drama for those who want to get out the popcorn.

I'm still wondering whats behind it, there are some unexplained tensions for Healy to do it now.

Note - unlike dramatic Conservatives who move to Reform, or Reform who move to Restore, Ministers resign but don't change parties.

Wotapalaver

Starmer is so far out of his depth it's terrifying. He listens to nobody except his ego, his chancellor and Labour back benchers; not even 2 of the most experienced and well respected men in his government. I thought the Tories were useless and feckless but I never felt as fearful for the future as I have done since Labour took power.

It’s farcical but not actually funny at all…..🙄

Starmer is so far out of his depth it's terrifying. He listens to nobody except his ego, his chancellor and Labour back benchers; not even 2 of the most experienced and well respected men in his government. I thought the Tories were useless and feckless but I never felt as fearful for the future as I have done since Labour took power.

(I suspect more than a disagreement about funding defence, otherwise he would have waited until after the by election - but not what, only guess)

winterwhite

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.

Yup.

The calls for the government must act on this that, the other, why aren't they funding x, y z, why don't they make sure a,b,c is done just is not fundable, expecting 2 years to turnaround years of austerity. Every day criticising why isnt the government make this or that right, right now.

There wont be a world to defend if we dont seriously slow down climate change. go Milliband I am behind you.

OK posters - tell us who should be cut, who should suffer so we get more killing machines?

I think Keir’s days are numbered, regardless of who wins Makersfield bi-election

We had Johnson, Truss and Sunak between elections so l don't see a Defence Minister or two resigning warrants a GE. We maybe need Angela back in the command room.

No need for a GE, thanks. Just get on with the leadership battle.

Only a GE will end this turmoil.

Number 10 won’t listen is something other resigning ministers have said.
It goes from bad to worse

The government defence department are funding £26 million pounds to Invictus for the games next year. Nobody begrudges veterans but a lot of the money goes to the flights, wardrobe of the gruesome twosome and their entourage.
Money that should be spent on defence. They’ve got the money for that.

I admire Al Carns too. I could envisage him as a future PM.
Intelligence mixed with gravitas.

Al Carns has resigned as the Armed Forces minister hours after John Healey quit as defence secretary, dealing yet another blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.

The Armed Forces minister, who is tipped as a potential Labour leadership contender, accused the Prime Minister of “failing” the military by refusing to commit more money to the Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

He said: “We owe those who serve the UK the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it’s done. We are failing on both.

“I’ve spent my whole time in government making that case. Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning as Minister for the Armed Forces.”