UK Defence Secretary Resigns Abruptly Over Insufficient Defence Investment Funding, Clashes with Starmer

(CNA, London, 11th –综合 international reports) UK Defence Secretary John Healey abruptly resigned today, citing dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the UK Treasury for failing to secure sufficient funding for the nation's 10-year 'Defence Investment Plan' (DIP), which is meant to provide adequate resources for the armed forces.

According to AFP, the embattled Starmer is under immense political pressure, with the outcome of a UK parliamentary by-election scheduled for one week from now potentially triggering internal Labour Party moves to replace him. Healey's resignation delivers an early blow.

The 'Defence Investment Plan' (DIP), long anticipated and crucial for the UK's defence spending over the next decade, was delayed for months before its finalization. However, Healey stated that the approved funding amount falls far short of his original requests.

Starmer had previously pledged to raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP starting in 2027, and further increase it to 3% in the next parliamentary term.

Yet, in a resignation letter posted today on the social media platform X from Healey's personal account addressed to Starmer, he wrote: 'At a time of heightened threats, you have consistently failed to commit the resources necessary for national defence, and the Treasury has remained unwilling to cooperate.'

He added: 'I have made clear to you that I cannot accept a DIP amount that fails to provide our military with the resources it needs. I now have no choice but to submit my resignation.'

Starmer faces mounting challenges. A by-election in the Makerfield constituency of the UK Parliament will be held on the 18th. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and a candidate in the election, has stated that if elected to Parliament, he would enter any leadership contest within the Labour Party. (Translation: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150611

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