They left excoriating letter of resignations. John Healey, a party loyalist who served under five labour leaders, wrote that UK Defence plan fell well short of what is reauired for the defence of the realm at this quote dangerous time, that the prime minister was unable to commit the resources needed, and the Treasury was unwilling to. This after first seeing the detail delayed defence plan he said on Monday. It is yet to be made public. 

And the departing words Defence Minister Al Cairns said “Britain is still purchasing on capability suitable for the last war, while our adversaries arm fpr the next one” Platforms that cost billions can be defeated by systems that cost thousands”

Keir Starmer’s suffering the political equivalent of Rope a Dope, first a revolt over welfare reform, then the conseqences of appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, and a leadership contest expected to start in days. 

He has defended his decision of defence spending, saying he’s had to make “hard edged decisions” This is what the BBC’s Chris Mason put to him eaelier today.

James Sunderland is a former Conservative MP and miltary officer, serving 26 years in the British army deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as serving in Bosnia and the Falklands.