Defence Minister Resigns Over Funding Dispute and Strategic Direction
The former armed forces minister accused the government of preparing for the last war, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle defended fiscal restraint as essential for economic growth.
Former UK Armed Forces Minister Al Carns resigned from the government on Thursday night, departing just hours after Defence Secretary John Healey. Carns cited the underfunding of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and a strategic reliance on outdated military capabilities as the primary drivers for his exit. His departure follows a protracted dispute in which the Ministry of Defence requested £18bn over four years, while the Treasury offered a settlement of £13.5bn.
In interviews with the BBC’s Today programme and LBC’s Nick Ferrari, Carns delivered a sharp critique of the government’s defence strategy. He argued that the current approach was focused on “how to fight the last war rather than the next one,” advocating for the replacement of legacy systems—many of which were ordered by the previous Conservative administration—with innovative technologies observed in Ukraine. He described the internal government disputes as a failure of leadership, noting that ministers were “fighting amongst each other” rather than uniting to protect the nation.
The resignations compound challenges for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose authority was already strained by Healey’s departure. In his resignation letter, Healey stated that the government and Treasury were “unable” and “unwilling” to commit the necessary resources amidst rising geopolitical threats. Carns, while describing Starmer as an “honest man,” suggested the Prime Minister was unable to settle disputes within his own cabinet over the key principle of national defence.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle defended the government’s fiscal position, arguing that an irresponsible defence spending plan would negatively impact economic growth. Speaking to Sky News, Kyle characterised excessive spending as “fool’s gold” and insisted that the DIP must be balanced against the need for economic stability. He confirmed that the plan is scheduled to be published before next month’s Nato summit, a key diplomatic milestone for the UK.
Carns also hinted at a potential run for the Labour Party leadership should a contest be triggered. With the Makerfield byelection scheduled for the following week, a victory for Labour candidate Andy Burnham could precipitate a leadership challenge. When asked by Ferrari if he would consider standing if “the ball comes out from the back of the scrum,” Carns replied that he was “always up for playing,” though he did not explicitly confirm his candidacy.