- Healey backs Starmer amid Labour revolt, urging stability
- UK convenes 40 ministers to push a Hormuz maritime security mission
- Possible Type 45 deployment, but Royal Navy capacity is stretched
The UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, has thrown his support behind embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is fighting for his political future after a rebellion by Labour MPs threatens to derail the UK Government less than two years after coming to power.
In a social media post on 12 May, Healey said the UK population was “worried” about current conflicts and looming global crises, and “expected” the UK Government to lead the country through this period.
“More instability is not in Britain’s interest. Our full focus now must be on dealing with immediate economic and security challenges,” Healey posted.
Healey will host a meeting of 40 defence ministers on 12 May aimed at firming up support for a pan-European maritime security mission to the Strait of Hormuz, intended to open up trade that has been brought to a halt during the ongoing US-Iran war.
Other key defence ministers in parliament include the Minister for Defence Readiness, Luke Pollard, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, and Louise Sandher-Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, most of whom have made no comment regarding the current status of the UK Prime Minister.
Al Carns had previously said in February, during another period of crisis for Keir Starmer, that the Prime Minister had “my support – and my loyalty”.
His only post on his X account on 12 May was of a clear blue sky.
In addition, Lord Vernon Coaker, Minister of State at Ministry of Defence, has also made no public comment.
Luke Pollard recently made headlines for saying that he was “sick and tired” of journalists writing negative articles about the UK’s ongoing defence troubles.
In the afternoon of 12 May, Pollard took to social media to announce that he would not be resigning from his role at the Ministry of Defence.
Will the UK reverse its Middle East withdrawal?
The UK previously maintained a naval presence in the Middle East region comprising a frigate and a number of specialised minehunting vessels, but this was withdrawn during the current Labour government.
It is expected that the UK will commit to sending a Type 45 destroyer to the Middle East, with official comments expected today (12 May).
However, it is also unlikely the UK will be able to send additional major surface combatants, with the Royal Navy down to just five functioning frigates.
The UK also axed its minehunting fleet and is now converting the amphibious landing dock ship RFA Lyme Bay to act as a mothership for untested autonomous minesweeping platforms.
