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Britain’s defense secretary resigned on Thursday after accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government of failing to adequately fund the military despite increasing threats from Russia and growing demands from NATO, dealing a major blow to the prime minister ahead of the alliance’s July summit.
In a scathing resignation letter, John Healey said the government had failed to make the necessary resources to implement Britain’s long-term defense strategy, saying the country’s armed forces risked being left short of the money, manpower and industry needed to meet growing security challenges.
“This new era of defense requires more investment through the Defense Investment Plan,” Healey wrote. “Since then, you have not been able, and the Ministry of Finance is not willing, to provide the resources needed by the nation to protect the country at this time of increasing threats.”
While European governments have promised major increases in defense spending and warned that Russia poses a long-term threat to the alliance, many continue to struggle with the political and financial realities of rebuilding armed forces after decades of post-Cold War cuts. The debate has taken on more urgency as Trump pressures European countries to take on a greater share of defense responsibility.
In a scathing resignation letter, John Healey said the government had failed to use the resources needed to develop Britain’s long-term defense strategy. (Peter Nicholls/Pool Reuters)
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Healey’s departure appears to be due to a dispute over the pace and scale of future defense spending. In his letter, he pointed out that Britain should commit to spending 3% of gross domestic product on defense by 2030 and criticized the government’s funding plan which he said would reach only 2.68% by the end of the decade.
“The government will not warn about Russia, Iran and China, and then produce a Defense Investment Plan that leaves the military short of the money, people, stocks and industrial capacity needed to meet that threat,” said Major Andrew Fox, senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital.
Sir Keir Starmer is fighting to save his position and has refused to stand aside despite dozens of MPs calling for him to resign. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
“For Keir Starmer, this is now a test of integrity. The Defense Secretary resigning on the grounds of national security is telling our allies, our enemies and our military that Britain’s defense objectives are not being properly funded.”
Healey has been one of Starmer’s most loyal cabinet supporters, publicly defending the prime minister during recent Labor Party turmoil.
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The resignation heightens pressure on Starmer, who is already battling questions over his political future after a series of election problems and growing unrest within his own Labor Party.
The dispute comes at a critical time for NATO. Alliance leaders recently agreed to significantly increase defense spending amid ongoing concerns about Russia’s military ambitions and growing pressure from President Donald Trump for European allies to shoulder a greater share of the defense burden.
Healey himself has been telling Parliament that Starmer is willing to publish the Defense Investment Plan before the upcoming NATO summit on July 7. Healey read the final details of the spending a few days before his resignation on Monday, according to the Guardian.
Soldiers load weapons onto a US Air Force B-1 bomber at RAF Fairford in Fairford, England, on March 11, 2026. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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In recent weeks, Europe’s Future Combat Air System sixth-generation fighter project collapsed after years of conflict between France and Germany, raising new doubts about the continent’s ability to make major defense efforts despite repeated promises to strengthen its military posture.
Robert Jenrick, now one of the leading figures in Reform UK, praised Healey and directly blamed Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
“Good for Healey. Shame on them. Reeves and Starmer should go too.”
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Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also said the resignation showed the need for the government to devote more resources to national defence, saying Labor must “play a role in properly funding our military.”
Britain remains one of NATO’s most important military powers, but there is a growing debate about whether its armed forces are large enough and adequately funded to support the leadership role promised by successive governments.
The British Parliament’s defense committee recently warned that while the UK remains Europe’s military power, its ability to maintain that position is under pressure.
