All posts tagged: John Healey

Cyprus seeks to Farage-proof its UK military bases – POLITICO

Cyprus seeks to Farage-proof its UK military bases – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Following the strike, President Nikos Christodoulides called for talks on the future of the “colonial” bases, with Cypriot diplomats expressing “disappointment” at the lack of information-sharing around the incident. It also reopened the issue of how Britain should be allowed to use the bases, with Cyprus calling on the support of fellow EU countries. In March, the European Council gathering EU leaders said it “acknowledges the intention of Cyprus to initiate a discussion with the UK on the UK bases in Cyprus and stands ready to provide assistance as needed.” Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides speaks to the media ahead of a European Council summit in Ayia Napa on April 23, 2026. | Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images Marc Weller, director of the international law program at Chatham House, said: “Cyprus argues that the U.K. only retained more limited authority relating to defense. While the U.K. view [of full sovereignty] is legally correct, the Iran episode will offer an opportunity for Cyprus to reignite this debate.” The Farage factor Cypriot concerns worsened after Farage initially backed …

AUKUS unveils undersea drone project to deepen defense partnership – POLITICO

AUKUS unveils undersea drone project to deepen defense partnership – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership established in 2021 by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It focuses on countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing the three countries’ military capabilities through the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines, what is known as the “Pillar One” of the alliance. The three countries also are cooperating to develop advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber capabilities, and other undersea and defense systems — referred to as “Pillar Two.” The alliance encompasses Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the United States, the joint development of a new AUKUS-class submarine, and the creation of facilities to host U.S. and British submarines on Australian territory. In mid-2025, the U.K. and Australia scrambled to reassure Washington of their commitment to AUKUS after the Pentagon ordered a review of the pact, fueling fears that the United States could retreat from the agreement. Those concerns eased in October, when U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his backing for the alliance. “The United States, as we’ve said from the beginning, and …

UK defense minister’s plane has signal jammed near Russian border – POLITICO

UK defense minister’s plane has signal jammed near Russian border – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The incident was first reported by The Times, which said it was unclear whether the defense minister was deliberately targeted, but indicated the jet’s flight path was visible on tracking websites. According to the Financial Times, after its signal was jammed, Healey’s plane spent three hours flying without access to GPS or the internet. There have been several recent instances of interference with Western planes linked to Russia. A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was allegedly impacted by GPS interference last September, but there were contradictory accounts of what exactly took place. Flights in the eastern Baltic Sea region have also experienced GPS disturbances linked to Russia. Ukraine has said that Kremlin jamming operations have led several of its drones to enter EU airspace. Last week two Russian warplanes intercepted a British spy plane over the Black Sea. At the time, Healey said the incident was “another example of dangerous and unacceptable behavior by Russian pilots.” He added that the Russian interception “will not deter the UK’s commitment to defend NATO, …

‘Don’t you know there’s a war on?’ – POLITICO

‘Don’t you know there’s a war on?’ – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Keir Starmer’s leadership has been dealt a severe blow over the past fortnight as almost 100 MPs said that he should set out his timetable to step down as prime minister. Several of his ministers, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, have resigned to trigger a contest to replace him. Earlier on Tuesday, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, was selected as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election. He has been talked up by several Labour MPs as a potential successor to Starmer and as one of the few politicians in their party viewed positively by the electorate. Reform UK, which is leading the polls in Britain, has pledged to “throw absolutely everything” at the by-election. POLITICO has also reported that Healey’s junior defense minister, Al Carns, is being urged by MPs to consider a leadership bid. Two government officials suggested that he should not have written a frank post-mortem of Labour’s local election loss for the New Statesman last week. Healey told the event that it has been a “difficult few weeks” and that …

UK pledges drone boats to help secure Strait of Hormuz – POLITICO

UK pledges drone boats to help secure Strait of Hormuz – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The surface vessels would be offered in addition to U.K. autonomous minehunting systems, and the forward deployment of the warship HMS Dragon, a Type-45 Destroyer. Healey offered Starmer his backing as dozens of Labour MPs called on the PM to quit, posting on X: “People are worried about current conflicts and looming global crises. They expect their government to lead the country through, as the PM is doing. More instability is not in Britain’s interest. Our full focus now must be on dealing with immediate economic [and] security challenges.” Starmer declined to discuss his own future at a meeting of his Cabinet earlier Tuesday, instead focusing on the ongoing fallout of the war in Iran. A Downing Street spokesperson said ministers had “agreed that number one priority remains getting the Strait of Hormuz open again, so that international shipping can resume.” However, Britain’s offer to assist in the crucial shipping lane rests on the idea of a durable ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump has described as “unbelievably weak.” Iran …

Keir Starmer’s leadership vacuum threatens to swallow him up – POLITICO

Keir Starmer’s leadership vacuum threatens to swallow him up – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Many of those who spoke to POLITICO described a lack of “curiosity” in the PM. “He just doesn’t ask questions, on policy, politics or apparently propriety either,” another former official said. Some ministers agree.  A current government official described Starmer’s approach to interrogating policies and other decisions as “hear no evil, see no evil.” The official added: “You can’t claim to be this meticulous lawyer, this micro-manager, this mandarin and then not care for stuff like this.” Boris Johnson vibes   One bizarre example of his passivity is that Starmer apparently does not even express a strong preference about how he wants to spend his own time. “He is so hands-off about his diary,” another former No. 10 official said. Referring to Jill Cuthbertson, a top aide who used to run Starmer’s diary, this person said: “It’s kind of like, ‘what has Jill put in my diary today,’ and then if it was something he didn’t enjoy doing, someone else would bear the brunt of it, but he’d never be involved in the front end of …

Labour Cabinet Members Set To Lose Seats In Election Wipeout, Poll Suggests

Labour Cabinet Members Set To Lose Seats In Election Wipeout, Poll Suggests

Published by Sam Flores

Yvette Cooper, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves could all lose their seats. via Associated Press A host of Labour cabinet members are set to lose their seats to both Reform UK and the Greens at the next election, according to a new mega poll. The More in Common study suggests Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper are among those who could be kicked out by voters at the next election. Labour leadership hopeful and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner would also lose her seat, as would the likes of John Healey, Ed Miliband, Hilary Benn, Lisa Nandy, Pat McFadden, Jonathan Reynolds and Darren Jones. Although Keir Starmer would be re-elected in the traditionally safe Labour seat of Holborn and St Pancras, his majority would be slashed. Reform would win a staggering 324 seats – just short of an overall Commons majority – while the Greens would see their number of MPs quadruple to 21, the poll said. However, Labour would plummet from 411 seats to just 102, with the Tories also …

UK may not be able to deal with Russian ‘threat’ to Scotland, Swinney says

UK may not be able to deal with Russian ‘threat’ to Scotland, Swinney says

Published by Sam Flores

He added: “I’ve benefited from individual, national security briefings, which I’m grateful for, but I think we need to have more partnership, more dialogue, more engagement, because, as we saw with the Bella 1 tanker, it didn’t take long for something that happened on the high seas to come right into the Moray Firth and be an issue that we had to wrestle with.” Source link