‘I’m not walking away,’ says Starmer despite defence secretary’s exit

Keir Starmer stated he must "turn things around" following a series of political crises, including the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey, on June 12, 2026. Starmer indicated in a BBC interview that any successor would encounter similar difficult decisions regarding defence spending. He reiterated his commitment to resist any leadership challenge, asserting, "I'm not going to walk away." The departure of John Healey was prompted by a dispute over defence expenditure. Starmer's comments come amidst ongoing political challenges and potential leadership contests within his party, with figures like Andy Burnham mentioned as potential contenders.