The Labour leader’s position is looking weaker than ever after the latest resignations.
Sir Keir Starmer suffered another major blow as GMB issues a major No. 10 update (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer suffered another major blow minutes into Good Morning Britain after two members of his government dramatically resigned overnight. On Friday (June 12), Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh returned to the airwaves to deliver the latest news hitting the headlines. It didn’t take long for things to turn political as they discussed the Government’s meltdown following the departure of even more members from the Prime Minister’s inner circle.
Two parliamentary aides stepped back from their roles on Thursday night (June 11), in the latest round of exits. That followed the shocking resignation of John Healey, who blasted Labour’s defence plans as insufficient as he left the Cabinet.
Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway announced that two parliamentary aids quit overnight (Image: ITV)
The former Defence Secretary accused his boss of forcing him to make decisions that he warned “could make the country less safe”. Soon after, Al Carns, the decorated veteran and armed forces minister, also stepped aside.
The latest round of resignations led Starmer’s critics to slam the Labour leader, with Kemi Badenoch saying it was proof he was “too weak to cut welfare and fund defence.” But the politician has insisted that he’ll “always do what is necessary to protect our national security.”
To get a deeper understanding of the latest developments, the presenting duo welcomed news correspondent Mahatir Pasha onto the show, who reported live from outside No. 10. He began: “This really is a devastating blow for the Prime Minister, and look, the double resignation comes as his adversaries appear to be circling in.
“Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge, and Andy Burnham, who is probably looking to do the same should he win the crucial Makerfield by-election next week. Things just keep getting worse for the Prime Minister.
“His Defence Secretary, John Healey, resigned, and Defence Minister Al Carns also resigned, and two parliamentary secretaries resigned too, Pamela Nash and Rachel Hopkins. It couldn’t really have come at a worse time for the Prime Minister.” The broadcaster went on to share some of the blistering comments the former minister penned in his resignation letter.
News correspondent, Mahatir Pasha, revealed the Prime Minister’s choice of replacement outside Downing Street (Image: ITV)
Mr Pasha went on: “He was getting ready to unveil his defence spending plans, and he’s also set to meet with NATO shortly. Healey really pulled no punches, directly blaming the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. In his letter, he wrote: ‘You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.
“‘I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.'” The presenter went on to share the Prime Minister’s response to the letter, in which he defended himself.
He wrote: “I will always do what is needed to keep our country safe. The Defence Investment Plan does just that – delivering an unprecedented increase in defence spending in a sustainable way. Strong public finances are a part of what keeps us safe – irresponsible borrowing only puts that at risk.”
However, the Labour leader’s words failed to convince some in the defence community, with sources telling ITV that the government’s priority is simply not in place. Following Al Carns departure, Dan Jarvis was the Prime Minister’s choice of replacement, who also has military experience. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Parachute Regiment.
Viewers soon flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their concerns online, with one user posting: “Keir Starmer, if your government is not prepared to protect a village, how can we expect you to protect the country? This is potentially a death trap with the likely outcome of a landslide killing people.”
Another feared: “£21.8billion Starmer has committed to Ukraine, but we have no money for UK defences. The Treasury has refused to plug the £28million deficit. John Healey was right to tell Starmer where to shove his job.” A third echoed: “It’s weird how there’s only ever two MOD/UK Military stories. We’re either not spending enough and are ultra vulnerable, or the MOD are wasting billions of pounds [shrugging emoji].”
