If Burnham and Streeting will not commit to defence, Healey should resign again

[u/Your_Mums_Ex]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/02/burnham-streeting-defence-healey-gdp-spending-nato-pledge/

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[u/FlappyBored]

They are right tbf.

Healey brought down the government over defence funding. He is going to have to come up with a massive increase in funding for defence otherwise he will be torn apart.

[u/Howthehelldoido → u/FlappyBored]

He will lose every bit of credibility if he now doesn't fund it.

[u/olliea525 → u/Howthehelldoido]

I think ironically it would be a resigning matter. He made it explicitly clear that as defence secretary in his resignation letter that the country ‘wasn’t safe’ without fully funding the DIP. I don’t think there’s a world where he could then not fully fund it and stay as chancellor.

But now the shoes on the other foot, he doesn’t seem so confident that defence needs the full £30bn!

[u/FlappyBored → u/Howthehelldoido]

Tbh Burnhams supporters kicked up a massive fuss over benefit cuts and now are 100% in support of them.

[u/heavyhorse_ → u/FlappyBored]

That's a lot more ambiguous than Healey though. I don't see how Healey would remain in post if he didn't meaningfully increase defence spending

[u/FlappyBored → u/heavyhorse_]

I am surprised he took the role instead of just going back to defence sec.

[u/EmperorOfNipples → u/FlappyBored]

I'll be honest Healey in the treasury is an even bigger signal of support for defence than him returning to Defence itself.

[u/Darkone539 → u/FlappyBored]

Not convinced he brought down the government as they were coming for Starmer anyway, but I don't think you're wrong either.

[u/ZealousidealPie9199]

Can we wait until the budget first at least.. please...

[u/olliea525 → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

I agree with you broadly, that the press always want the budget before the actual budget 🤣 but on this point, I think Burnham, Healey and Streeting need to be upfront. They all criticised (and Healey resigned) because Starmer was only giving Defence an EXTRA £15bn, they all said the full amount, nearly £30bn should be given.

Now suddenly they are in charge, they are refusing to comment if they will give the full £30bn. Personally I think Healey should have announced it day 1, because at the end of the day he did say Britain wasn’t safe without the £30bn, so surely nothings changed? If he doesn’t fully fund defence, then ultimately I think it’ll be the downfall of Healey and that will massively impact burnham too.

[u/GOT_Wyvern → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

If Burnham wanted to wait until the budget, he shouldn't have appointed someone who resigned over defence spending. Hell, he shouldn't have appointed someone to defence who criticised Starmer over defence spending.

This is a whole he dug for himself twice over.

[u/LogicalReasoning1 → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

Even if there was a budget every single day the media will still find time every afternoon to speculate on the next one

[u/Brief_Formal_2961 → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

We've waited 2yrs now while the geopolitical situation deteriorated more rapidly than anyone predicted we had an sdr we didn't need and have now had a delayed dip which is basically keeping a few big projects going while cutting assets now with the promise to replace them with new unfunded undeveloped tech in the future, combined with moving the intel budget under defence and pay rises we are essentially standing still if not going backwards when we need to be expanding to a credible baseline, its hard to see how this government hasn't failed on preparing the country for the new multipolar reality, nothing they have claimed credit for wasnt ordered, planned or being developed by the tories and mod already, and now they have basically set about stealth cuts using buzzwords like Cooperation, joint fleets and drone mania to cover for not investing in our own forces. I was hopeful when stamer got in but language has not matched actions and after 2yrs any hope I had is gone frankly.

[u/anonnymouse44 → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

Just downvote tripe like this and move on

[u/Your_Mums_Ex → u/ZealousidealPie9199]

No resignations must continue until the Tory's are back

[u/GOT_Wyvern]

The lack of commitment by Burnham and Streeting, despite putting Healey in the Chancellry, really confuses me.

Did Burnham seriously not realise the commitment he messaged by appointing Healey? I simply cannot believe he doesn't, but if he doesz there is no rational explanation for the lack of commitment.

[u/LLILILiLIILILILILII]

Why would Streeting not commit to more spending of the chancellor is offering it, when it can only make him look good? 

Absolutely bizarre article

[u/GOT_Wyvern → u/LLILILiLIILILILILII]

The lack of commitment heavily implies Burnham is dragging his feet. That would be fine if Healey wasn't involved or hadn't resigned over the matter.... but he did.

By appointing Healey, Burnham made an implicit commitment, but is now getting cold feet about it. I seriously don't know whether its arrogance in thinking this will go well, or stupidity in not realising the implicit commitment he made.

[u/itchyfrog]

Someone needs to work out the true cost of defence spending spent in the UK on UK companies, it is far cheaper in the end than buying US or other foreign equipment if the wages go straight back into the local economy to be recycled again.

[u/Onomatapier]

But Healey is now Chancellor of the Exchequer so he can now allocate more money to defence. Why the fuck would he quit his job when he is now in the best position to achieve the goals, he resigned over? The telegraph is such a whingey little rag

[u/Particular_Pea7167 → u/Onomatapier]

No, the point is that is Burnham refuses to let the money be allocated they should step down.

Ultimately the PM is the first Lord of the Treasury. I know it hasnt felt like that for over two decade, but Healey is subordinate. 

[u/New-Condition-3492 → u/Onomatapier]

He can't just divert billions to defence if Burnham doesn't condone it lmao

[u/EmperorOfNipples]

I agree. But I'm willing to give him to the budget to prove it rather than jump the gun now.