John Healey: Labour infighting threatens government credibility

In a pointed speech, Defence Secretary John Healey criticized Labour figures maneuvering to become prime minister, warning that the party’s “very credibility” in government is at risk if infighting escalates.

Healey, a Keir Starmer loyalist, stated that the party has turned in on itself since the May elections, appearing to directly criticize Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, and even junior defence minister Al Carns.

Arguing that “these are serious times,” Healey, who was a minister under Gordon Brown, said Labour must show how it will rise to the occasion as Russia persists in attacking Ukraine and “crisis after crisis” strains British household incomes.

“We must not throw away so lightly the power we were given,” he said, setting his own approach apart from those seeking to remove the embattled Starmer as prime minister.

“Politics to me is not about the individual. I don’t much care about photo opportunities or PR firms. People will not forgive us if they think we’re more concerned about ourselves than we are about them,” he said in a speech to the Good Growth Foundation.

“Right now, the very credibility of Labour in government is at stake,” he said. “We must get serious. It’s not about us, not about the insiders of politics, it’s about the interests of the country.”

He did not name specific individuals, but his targets were evident. Allies said the speech was meant as “a hard message” to a party that should focus on governing.

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester who is running for the newly vacant Makerfield seat, has been photographed jogging at least twice since signaling his desire to return to Westminster and seek the premiership.

Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary last week aiming to trigger a leadership contest, complaining that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum.” His bid stalled after it became clear he had little chance of winning.

Al Carns, a former special forces soldier, claimed thousands of pounds in parliamentary expenses for promotional videos, including one showing him doing pull-ups at a fire station in a competition with a firefighter.

Healey said defence spending has increased under Labour and will reach 3.5% of GDP by 2035. The Ministry of Defence “estimates this means over half a million Brits will work for a defence firm in a decade’s time,” he said.

Future military spending must work “once for national security and once for British industry,” he said, establishing a new principle and noting that defence jobs are skilled, unionized, and pay an average salary of £57,000.

Despite the pledge, no date was set for publishing the long-delayed defence investment plan, which has been contested financially with the Treasury. Covering all critical military programs, it remains overspent by up to £18 billion.

Healey promised the plan would come soon but insisted it must be properly funded. “Countries that cannot pay their way, cannot defend themselves,” he said, arguing for stronger economic growth to finance new weaponry.

He also aimed to differentiate Labour from its closest political rivals. He accused Reform UK of being backed by “pro-Russian cronies and crypto billionaires,” referring to Christopher Harborne, who donated £5 million to Nigel Farage before the general election.

Simultaneously, he accused the Green Party, which made significant gains from Labour in inner London local elections, of wanting “to shut down the defence industry.”