Healey showdown raises fresh questions over Starmer-Reeves power dynamic

Former defence secretary’s accusation, that PM lacks impetus and is easily swayed by chancellor’s demands, is familiar territory

One of the most scathing accusations made by John Healey in his resignation letter on Thursday was that the prime minister lacks the authority to stand up to his chancellor.

“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” the former defence secretary wrote .

It is a criticism that has been levelled at Keir Starmer before – that without a political vision of his own he is too easily swayed by the demands of Rachel Reeves .

But for allies of the prime minister, the irony is that on this occasion, Starmer was braced for a fight with Reeves and not Healey.

“We went into Thursday thinking we were set for a showdown with the Treasury, not MoD,” said one. Another added: “The prime minister had pushed the chancellor into giving way more than she wanted, so we thought that was where the problems would lie.”

The relationship between the two people at the centre of government has been one of the driving forces in Labour’s march to power and much of what has happened in the two years since.

Starmer and Reeves are almost never publicly at odds, often choosing to make controversial announcements jointly. When the party decided in opposition to scale back its green ambitions , for example, the party leader and shadow chancellor appeared together in front of reporters to brief them on the details.