Kemi Badenoch demands John Healey’s resignation if his Budget fails to deliver defence spending promise

BREAKING Labour finally reveals migrant 'how not to rape' guide cost after GB News row 1792685350.285 Exclusive Kemi Badenoch demands John Healey’s resignation if his Budget fails to deliver defence spending promise 'Our national security is under threat, and Labour is just frozen,' the Conservative leader said Sign up to the Politics Newsletter Email address Sign up I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Kemi Badenoch told GB News that John Healey must resign if his imminent Budget fails to deliver Labour’s defence-spending promises. The Chancellor will set out his plans for the British economy next week, with pledges to meet Nato spending targets expected to be delayed until late next year. Mr Healey previously resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s Defence Secretary, saying he was frustrated that the Government was failing to raise defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030. In an explosive resignation letter, he said the then-Prime Minister had been “unable” and the Treasury “unwilling” to “commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats”. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say However, as Andy Burnham's Chancellor, he appears set to delay a major increase in defence spending until sometime next year. “John Healey resigned because Keir Starmer wasn't giving him enough money to get to 3 per cent by 2030,” Mrs Badenoch said. “As Chancellor, if he cannot do this job, then he should resign. “If not, they should call a general election because defence of the realm is the first duty of Government,” the Conservative leader said. Kemi Badenoch has demanded John Healey resign if his Budget fails to deliver Labour’s defence-spending promises | GB NEWS Mrs Badenoch accused Labour of failing to fund the armed forces while presiding over a struggling economy, as Britain’s national security faced growing threats. “Our national security is under threat, and Labour are just frozen. They’re not able to fund our defence. They’re not growing the economy,” she said. The Tory leader pointed to reports that Russia was spying on undersea cables and that vulnerabilities were growing in the High North as evidence that Britain needs to strengthen its defences. “We need to pay for our defence because if we don’t, then we’re not going to have a welfare system or all of the nice things,” she said. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Andy Burnham becomes first Prime Minister to join Celebrity Gogglebox Keir Starmer listed as 'core participant' in grooming gangs inquiry 'Sickening' video of man spitting on statue of murdered MP David Amess sparks police investigation The Chancellor is expected to drop spending pledges on defence for his upcoming budget | GETTY “If we get attacked, and we can see countries like Russia and Iran are getting bolder, we need to get ready.” “We saw the attack on RAF Fairford. We can see that things are changing. We need to get ready,” she declared. Yesterday, Counterterror police re-arrested two men amid the ongoing investigation into the incident at the base , including a dual UK-Iranian national, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. The country to which the investigation relates is Iran, police confirmed At the same time, MPs have warned that Britain must fill “glaring gaps” in its ability to defend the Arctic from Russian incursions. On security and the growing Russian threat, Mrs Badenoch savaged comments from US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with Vladimir Putin. While in St Petersburg to press for a peace deal in the Ukraine war started by Moscow’s invasion, the American diplomat called the Russian leader a “humanitarian”. “I think it is a disgraceful thing to say,” Mrs Badenoch said, adding: “Let's not forget that we have the Salisbury poisonings on our soil not that long ago. That was Vladimir Putin. 'Our national security is under threat, and Labour is just frozen,' the Conservative leader said | GB NEWS “I think it is extraordinary that a representative of the US would say those words. I've never heard anyone from a US administration use words like that about Russia. “It's no excuse to say that they got someone freed from prison over that. The Conservative Leader said the words sent a “signal that America is getting weaker”. “They've had prisoners freed without having to kowtow to Russia like that. I thought those comments were disgraceful.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Politics Labour finally reveals full cost of asylum seeker 'how not to rape' guide after ignoring GB News Politics Burka ban debate sparks fury in Welsh Parliament as Reform compared to Nazis for 'anti-British' claim Politics 'He is not a serious Prime Minister!' Andy Burnham slammed after Celebrity Gogglebox announcement Politics UK Government websites taken offline amid cyber security threat Politics Labour likely to REJECT drilling at Rosebank oilfield after approval of Jackdaw despite Donald Trump urging to go 'full blast' Politics Keir Starmer listed as 'core participant' in grooming gangs inquiry Live Politics Kemi Badenoch declares she 'isn't scared to back police officers' but issues trust warning after Henry Nowak case Politics London Green councillors encourage people 'inspired by the protests in France' to join demonstration Politics 'When will they wake up?' EU economy plummets as gap between Brussels and the US reaches £1.27TRILLION Politics Labour MP racially harassed by man who called him 'English c**t' amid disabled parking row Politics Benefits bill balloons by extra £5.5billion after inflation soars on Labour's watch Politics Lindsay Hoyle erupts in anger at Labour over 'appalling' treatment of MPs amid bombshell announcement Politics 'Selfish' Mr Stop Brexit is proof human rights laws have gone too far, Tory justice chief says Politics Labour blasted for spending £1.7m a year on 'finding ways to claim prisons are racist' amid overcrowding crisis Politics Karl Turner has Labour whip restored on 'probationary basis' after issuing apology Politics Migrants handed £96m in visa fee waivers since Labour took office as 76,000 charges scrapped Politics Reform UK reports ITV and its reporters to the police after undercover sting Politics Labour approves Jackdaw gas field after months of speculation Politics Shabana Mahmood faces pressure from Labour frontbenchers to water down 'Boriswave' migrant crackdown Politics Andy Burnham urged to clarify position on national security adviser after wife 'backed Palestine Action' Politics Donald Trump hails 'great news' of Jackdaw gas field and urges Andy Burnham to go 'full blast' Politics Government plans crack down on 'cosmetic cowboys' to protect Britons against botched liquid butt lifts Politics Welfare bill to rise despite Labour reforms to get young people into work Politics Labour’s ‘Burnham bounce’ facing final test with voters ahead of John Healey’s make-or-break Budget Politics Second Labour MP suspended amid questions over £50,000 taxpayer-backed Covid loan Analysis Politics Nigel Farage is down but not out - and Reform's cracks are beginning to show Politics Nigel Farage backs deploying British Army if 'intolerant' left holds French-style riots in UK Politics 'War could be coming!' Kemi Badenoch urges Britons to get off benefits and prepare for conflict Politics Civil service fact-checkers placed in ITV and Channel 4 to help with news output Politics Kemi Badenoch warns 'rubbish about white privilege and Britain being racist' risks fuelling French-style riots in UK