The resignation of the decorated Marine-turned-MP follows that of Defence Secretary John Healey earlier today, heaping fresh pressure on an embattled Keir Starmer

Double blow for PM

Keir Starmer endured one of the worst days of his premiership on Thursday as his two most senior defence ministers resigned in quick succession over the Government’s failure to adequately fund Britain’s armed forces.

The twin departures of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns came as ministers and industry leaders gathered in Birmingham for the two-day Defence Procurement Conference.

Carns, the decorated Royal Marines veteran and MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, wrote to the Prime Minister on Thursday night to announce he was stepping down, citing the inadequacy of the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and the Government’s handling of the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill.

“Not built for the threat we face”

In a searing letter, Carns set out his view that the DIP “is not built for the threat we face – it is neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded.”

He warned that Britain remained dangerously behind its adversaries, writing: “We are still purchasing capability suitable for the last war while our adversaries arm for the next one. Platforms that cost billions can be defeated by systems that cost thousands.”

Having served in uniform and seen conflict at close quarters, Carns said he could not stand at the despatch box and defend a level of investment he knew to be inadequate.

“A serious country funds its defence to meet the threat it actually faces, not the threat it wishes it faced,” he wrote.

“We are failing on both”

His letter also took aim at the broader failure of government, arguing that soldiers are owed “the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it’s done. We are failing on both.”

Carns said he intends to remain on the backbenches, vowing: “I’ll keep fighting for the people I served with. I hope this government will too.”