Starmer sees his political position undermined by the departure of his defense minister

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised Friday to fight to stay in power after the sudden resignation of the Secretary of State for Defense, who had all his confidence, weakening his already fragile leadership.

While the elected representatives of the Labor Party revolt and his rivals plot, Mr. Starmer has seen several ministers leave in recent weeks, delegates and high-ranking, all distraught by the persistent unpopularity of the government.

But the sudden departure of Defense Secretary John Healey is a blow to the Prime Minister. Mr Healey resigned on Thursday, warning that the government was not providing enough resources to the army to ensure Britain’s security “at this time of increasing threats”.

His departure hurts Mr. Starmer where the Prime Minister has always been least vulnerable: on the international stage.

Since his crushing victory in July 2024, Mr Starmer has stepped up support for Ukraine, working with French President Emmanuel Macron on a multinational “coalition of the willing”, aimed at guaranteeing Ukraine’s security in the event of a ceasefire.

France and the United Kingdom have also established a maritime security force that would help keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping if the war with Iran ends.

Mr Starmer strongly argued that European nations must do more to fund their own defence, in response to President Donald Trump’s criticism of US allies in NATO.

“Mr Starmer has been consistent in warning about the security risks posed by Russia,†said Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the “UK in the World†program at think tank Chatham House. “He was praised by public opinion for having managed Trump with composure and serenity. And, in line with previous British governments, he has been a close and constant ally of Ukraine.”

The Defense Investment Plan, a much-anticipated government roadmap setting out how the UK will increase its military spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, is under attack. The British military is also seeking to reverse years of decline in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, which invaded its neighbor Ukraine in 2022, and is increasingly testing the defenses of European nations through overt and covert activities.

Mr. Healey estimates that defense spending must reach 3% of GDP by 2030. He resigned in frustration after Finance Minister Rachel Reeves refused to give in on a plan that did not meet that target.

He cited a British intelligence assessment that Russia could attack a NATO member country as early as 2030 and said a lower-than-needs spending plan “could make the country less secure.”

The protesters argue that military spending can be a bottomless pit and point out that acquisition projects regularly exceed deadlines and budgets.

Armed Forces Undersecretary Al Carns, who resigned hours afterward, Healey said it was not just about spending more money, but spending it wisely. He said the investment plan was not “transformative enough”.

“I want to see a higher percentage devoted to unmanned systems, to AI, to data — data is the new gunpowder — and we need to move forward on that if we want to win the next war,†he said at the BBC.

These resignations could precipitate Starmer’s resignation.

Mr. Healey is far from being the first to jump ship. Mr. Starmer lost several ministers, then the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, who resigned in order to be able to run for the leadership of the party if an election was called.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also expected to challenge Mr Starmer for the party leadership if he is elected to Parliament in a special election on Thursday.

But the departure of Mr. Healey, long considered a loyal minister with no personal leadership ambitions, “suggests that Mr. Starmer’s credibility, even among his inner circle, may be crumbling,” he said. said Ms O’Sullivan.

Mr Starmer insisted on Friday that he remains in the job, adding that his job is to make “difficult decisions”.

He told the BBC that defense was his “number one priority.” And I made the difficult decisions to guarantee the security of our country.”

“I’m not going to leave. I don’t think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a party leadership election,” he said. “I don’t think it should happen, but if it does, then I will fight.”

Danica Kirka, journaliste à l’Associated Press, a contribué à cet article.