John Healey resigns as the UK’s defence secretary in a move Downing Street presents as unexpected but not entirely surprising. Reports say he submits his resignation in a letter posted to social media shortly before 12:10pm on Wednesday. Healey has held the role since Keir Starmer became Labour leader, serving as defence secretary through the current government. Accounts describe him as usually restrained in public, with a low-drama approach in parliament and media appearances. During Prime Minister’s Questions earlier that day, Healey is reported to have been positioned away from other cabinet ministers on the government frontbench and to have watched exchanges in which Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch trade blame over welfare spending and defence spending. One account notes that Healey’s exit comes less than 24 hours after PMQs, after no apparent prior public signals, media briefings, or stated conditions about his position. The coverage characterizes his resignation timing as difficult for the prime minister, given that the announcement follows immediately after a high-profile parliamentary session and arrives without earlier visible escalation.
John Healey resigns as UK defence secretary shortly after Prime Minister’s Questions
John Healey resigns as the UK’s defence secretary in a move Downing Street presents as unexpected but not entirely surprising. Reports say he submits his resignation in a letter posted to social media...
- John Healey resigns as the UK defence secretary, with the resignation announced via a letter posted on social media.
- The resignation is reported to be made shortly before 12:10pm on Wednesday.
- Healey has served as defence secretary since Keir Starmer became Labour leader.
- Accounts place Healey away from other cabinet ministers on the government frontbench during Prime Minister’s Questions earlier that day.
- Reports describe no prior public briefings, threats, or conditions before Healey’s resignation.
The defence secretary’s departure was the wrong resignation at the worst possible time for the prime ministerUK politics live – latest updatesDuring Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions, the defence secretary was standing at the other end of the Commons, away from other cabinet members on the government frontbench. His expression gave nothing away as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch blamed one another for spending too much on welfare and not enough on defence. In hindsight, he was possibly thinking “to hell with both of them”. Most defence secretaries go native sooner or later, imagining themselves to be embedded officers serving on the frontline. Tory Ben Wallace appeared to hate most of his cabinet colleagues by the time he resigned in 2023.Less than 24 hours after PMQs, Healey had also resigned, his departure being all the more powerful for being so unexpected. This exit seemed to come out of a clear blue sky. There had been no briefings to the media in the preceding days. No threats to stand down if his demands were not met. All the arguments had taken place behind closed doors. A determination to do the right thing throughout. Continue reading...
8 hours agoDespite his managerial veneer and quiet approach, the outgoing defence secretary is a highly political operatorUK politics live – latest updatesIf there was one thing Downing Street could rely on with John Healey, it was avoiding unnecessary drama. Whether in parliament or on the morning broadcast round, his sober suits and general demeanour of a benign but firm headteacher spelled reassurance.But then, just before 12.10pm on Wednesday, the drama arrived. In a letter posted to social media, Healey resigned as defence secretary, a job he had held – whether in government or its shadow equivalent – from the moment Keir Starmer became Labour leader. Continue reading...
9 hours ago
NDIS reforms face intensified criticism ahead of planned state government vote
State leaders, stakeholders and the opposition are increasingly critical of proposed NDIS reforms as the government prep...
Hundreds of BHP workers at Port Hedland vote in favour of strike action
Hundreds of BHP workers at the Port Hedland iron ore hub vote in favour of strike action after pay and labour negotiatio...
Bangladesh opposition plans protests over alleged Indian border “push-ins”
Bangladesh’s opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, announce protests over allegations of Indian “push-ins” and...