Wes Streeting named new defence secretary in move that 'disappointed' former British Army head
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The politician has gone from launching a hopeful leadership bid to a position in a new cabinet
Former new prime minister hopeful Wes Streeting has been named as the new defence secretary.
Having previously held the position of health secretary, the MP for Ilford North takes charge from former British Army officer Dan Jarvis in Andy Burnham’s new government. Following his appointment, Mr Streeting said in a social media statement: “Keeping our country safe is the first duty of government.
“It is an honour to take on the role of defence secretary. We'll ensure our armed forces have the resources they need and stand steadfast alongside our international allies, especially Ukraine. Let’s get to work.”
Chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, added: “Pleased to welcome the defence secretary Wes Streeting to the MoD last night. I look forward to working closely with him.”
Mr Jarvis was only appointed to the role on June 11 in the midst of the Defence Investment Plan (Dip) fallout. Aside from being in charge during the Dip’s delivery, he signed the UK-Estonia defence roadmap in Tallinn, and visited Sheffield Forgemasters when the first British-made artillery barrels in almost two decades started to be delivered to Ukraine.
His predecessor John Healey resigned alongside defence minister Al Carns after being upset with the Dip and its contents. The well-respected politician criticised the government for only allocating £15bn of fresh funding, instead of a figure of nearer £30bn. There was also no timeline to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030.
Mr Healey added that the programme would make our armed forces personnel less safe, something which was dismissed by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. He has now become chancellor under the fresh Labour government.
Mr Streeting resigned from his previous role in May and said he did not have confidence in Sir Keir’s government. He declared he would stand in a leadership contest should Sir Keir resign, but then declined to run and endorsed Mr Burnham’s leadership bid. Mr Burnham returned as an MP following a landslide victory at the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Streeting does not have a military background, something which was criticised by former head of the British Army, General Lord Richard Dannatt. He said Mr Streeting has a lot to learn and the defence portfolio is “one of the more complicated ones”.
“So he’s going to have to do an awful lot of listening and learning over the next few days and weeks before he can start to make a contribution,” Lord Dannatt. “Now, the professionals in the Ministry of Defence, the service chiefs, the permanent secretary, they all know their stuff, and they will get on with the day-to-day business.
“I’m disappointed that Wes Streeting was appointed to defence secretary, I think there are other people who have a longer background in defence – Dan Jarvis, who’s only just been appointed, I think was a good appointment after John Healey, personally, I’m disappointed that he’s not remained in the job.
“But if Wes Streeting is prepared to listen, to learn, then there’s no reason why, over time, he can’t be an effective defence secretary – but he’s got to remember that the man in Number 11 actually knows the stuff about defence, and there’s no point trying to pull the wool over his eyes.”