John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary is devastating for this Prime Minister and Chancellor.
Healey is considered to be a principled man, loyal and pragmatic, not a troublemaker who actively briefs against Sir Keir Starmer, like some of his Cabinet colleagues do.
The accusation that Healey levels against Rachel Reeves and Starmer is grave. He believes they are jeopardising national security and failing in their first duty in office: the safety of the Realm.
Reeves is “unwilling” to do what’s required to defend the country, he states publicly.
Meanwhile, Healey’s observation on Starmer is telling. The Prime Minister is “unable” to stand up to the Treasury, Healey says – depicting his own leader as too weak to drive through a plan that Starmer has helped to shape.
