Defence ministers resign

In what certainly ought to be a devastating blow to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, John Healey, and Minister of State for the Armed forces Al Carns, have resigned, on the basis that the PM is unable, and the treasury unwilling, to commit the resources needed for Britain's defence.

Mr Healey said funding for the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) “falls well short of what is required”, with extra support not coming until after 2030 even though the “imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years”.

I regarded John Healey as one of the few Labour ministers competent to find his own backside with both hands and approach radar. He also deserves credit for putting his support for defending Britain above his career and position.

Mr Carns, who was a colonel in the marines before becoming an MP, said the government was “failing Britain’s armed forces.”


This is John Healy's resignation letter









































































And this is Al Carns' resignation letter










































































Ouch. Each letter individually is devastating. Together they make an overwhelming case that the government needs to allocate more resources to defence.

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