British PM Says Defense Is Top Priority After Ministers Resign Over Funding

Kier Starmer said he had already made hard decisions to cut the budgets of other departments.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on May 5, 2026. Hannah McKay/AFP via Getty Images

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 12 rejected the notion that he had lost authority and said defense would be his No. 1 priority going forward.

His comments came a day after British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and British Armed Forces Minister Al Carns both resigned, accusing Starmer of failing to commit adequate resources to defend the country.