UK’s defence plan is underfunded and outdated, says Al Carns after resignation | Defence policy
After leaving his post as defense minister, Al Carns gave a shocking assessment of the government’s defense plans, accusing ministers of not spending enough on the military and spending it on the wrong weapons.
Carns left the government on Thursday night, hours after his boss John Healey resigned following a protracted row over the defense investment plan (Dip).
The former Armed Forces Minister said on Friday that Dip resigned because he was underfunded as well as planning to spend government money on outdated systems. He also hinted that he would run for leadership if a contest is triggered in the coming weeks.
Carns told the BBC’s Today programme: “I didn’t think the defense funding deal was the right one and I don’t agree with the defense investment plan which I think looks at how to fight the last war rather than the next war.”
He added: “Some hard, bold decisions need to be made to get rid of some of the legacy capabilities we have – which were not actually ordered by us, but were ordered by the Conservative party years ago – and replace them with some of the innovative technologies we have seen in Ukraine.”
Asked by LBC’s Nick Ferrari whether he would consider leading if “the ball comes out from behind the attack”, he replied: “I’m good at rugby and football but we’ll see what happens… I’m always ready to play.”
Carns’ resignation on Thursday night compounded another difficult day in office for Keir Starmer, whose previously loyalist defense minister Healey resigned earlier in the day after weeks of rows over funding.
Ministers have been arguing for months about the long-delayed plan, in which the Ministry of Defense wants £18bn over four years but the Treasury is willing to pay only £13.5bn, of which £10bn is new money.
In his resignation letter, Healey said: “At this time of increasing threats, you have failed to allocate the resources the country needs to defend the country and the Treasury has been reluctant.”
His broadside pokes a hole in the prime minister’s claim that he is best placed to lead the country at a time of geopolitical turmoil, as he prepares to face a possible challenge if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election next week.
Carns said on Friday that he respected the prime minister but painted a picture of a leader who was unable to resolve disagreements within his own government. “Overall I think Keir Starmer is a good man, a man of integrity and a man of integrity,” he said.
“But we are fighting each other to make more money to protect this nation, which is the basic unifying principle of any government.”
Business Minister Peter Kyle defended the prime minister, saying he should prioritize growth as well as giving more money to the military.
“If we did [the Dip] “In an irresponsible way, then you affect the growth of our economy and it becomes a zero-sum game,” he said, stressing that the plan would be published before the NATO summit next month.
“If we do this irresponsibly, it’s fool’s gold.”
