UK Defense Secretary and Minister of Armed Forces Resign

Jun 12 (Jowhar) - A force that Keir Starmer had on his young government was once again shaken on Wednesday night as the Minister of Armed Forces resigned amid a new dispute over how quickly and how the UK can increase defense spending.

Al Carns resigned this evening, writing to the Prime Minister that he could not support "an investment level that I know is not sufficient for the task".

His resignation followed the earlier resignation of John Healey, who stepped down as defense secretary after arguing that Mr. Starmer "could not, and the Treasury did not want", to provide sufficient support for the defense investment plan (Dip).

Dan Jarvis, a former officer in the Parachute Regiment, has been appointed to replace Mr. Healey later this evening.

Dip - a long-term plan aimed at increasing military investment over the long term - was first urged to review the defense strategy nearly a year ago. Since then, it has been repeatedly postponed, with debates over funding continuing to hinder progress.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Carns, who previously served in the Royal Navy, said: "I have sat in the rooms, I have seen the assessments, and I have spoken to the commanders who will be asked to do more with less, and I cannot in good conscience stand at the dispatch box and defend an investment level that I know is not sufficient for the task.

"A dangerous country invests in its defense to meet the threats it actually faces, not the threats it wants to face."

The decision came despite Mr. Carns suggesting an hour earlier that he was willing to wait until Dip was completed before deciding whether to remain in government or not.

However, he also told Sky News that he could resign if the final version of the plan was not "right for the armed forces".

After announcing his departure, Mr. Healey is understood to have urged other defense ministers to stay in their positions.

People did not follow. Pamela Nash, who was Mr. Healey's parliamentary private secretary, also resigned, aligning with his position.

In her resignation letter sent to Mr. Starmer, Ms. Nash stated that the "delays and difficulties" surrounding Dip had become "the final issue damaging public confidence in us".

In his written response to Mr. Healey's resignation, the Prime Minister stated that he had agreed that the Government would "continue" to gather defense funding.