Why Keir Starmer Resigned: Defence Budget, Russia-NATO Threats in Focus
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Keir Starmer steps down as UK Prime Minister amid defence funding disputes, NATO concerns and mounting political pressure.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 22: Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stepped down from his position on Monday. He announced his resignation as British PM and Leader of the Labour Party from the steps of his official residence, 10 Downing Street. Starmer became emotional as he said he had taken the decision by putting "the country I love first". Though he came to power with a landslide victory in 2022, some of his controversial decisions affected his popularity, ultimately leading to his resignation.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer said during his speech at 10 Downing Street. He added that he had spoken to King Charles III on Monday morning to inform him of his decision.
Russia Planning Attack on NATO in 2030: Keir Starmer
Starmer's government recently suffered a major blow when two of his key officials resigned over concerns about defence funding. It created a lot of political pressure on Starmer as the PM and party leader. In his resignation, then Defence Secretary John Healey argued that the new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) "falls well short of what is required" to protect Britain in an increasingly dangerous world.
Healey had been keen on increasing defence spending and had held several meetings, including with Starmer, to ensure the sector received a substantial budget allocation. However, the final draft of the DIP did not provide the level of funding that had been discussed with the Prime Minister.
One of the reasons Healey pushed for stronger defence spending was the perceived threat from Russia. Before his resignation, Starmer attended an event at a British defence company, where he said: "It is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in NATO, that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030."
Trump Plans Withdrawal of Warships from NATO Operations
A day after Healey's resignation, reports emerged that the United States was planning to significantly reduce the number of aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe. The move would limit NATO's ability to conduct long-range strikes and surveillance missions, according to the report.
The US plan includes reducing the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from around 150 to 100, cutting maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15, and withdrawing all eight aerial refuelling tanker jets previously assigned to Europe, the New York Post reported.
Who Could Replace Starmer?
Andy Burnham, who returned to the House of Commons after winning a crucial by-election last week, is being seen as the frontrunner to replace Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
However, the 63-year-old Starmer will remain in office until a new leader and Prime Minister is elected, ensuring an orderly transfer of power.
“When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job — being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy," Starmer said, choking back tears.
