Rawmarsh & Conisbrough MP John Healey hints at return to government under Andy Burnham
Mr Healey was Sir Keir Starmer’s defence secretary before his resignation - in a dispute over armed forced funding
South Yorkshire MP John Healey has hinted he would be open to returning to the Labour frontbench “if and when” Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister.
Mr Healey was Sir Keir Starmer’s defence secretary before he resigned on June 11, 2026, citing concerns over defence funding.
He hinted he would return to Government if asked by Starmer’s most likely successor in No.10.
The Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP said: “That’s entirely a matter for Andy Burnham if and when he becomes leader.
“I will do what I’ve always done… I’ll do whatever I can, from wherever I can, to make this a Labour government that people look at and say you’re doing the things that I can see this country needs and you’re on the track to make this country better.”
He has been a common-sight on the Labour Party frontbench for a number of years.
He is the only MP to have served in the shadow cabinets of Ed Miliband, Jeremy Corbyn and Starmer and stayed in the latter’s cabinet when the Labour Party won power in 2024.
“I think I’m the same person and politician I was when I was first elected in ‘97. I just see myself as, and I’m totally committed to, being Labour,” he said.
He added: “I want us to be the best government we can be leading a successful Britain.
“If I’m doing that as I have been doing that from the cabinet, great, that’s an extraordinary privilege and opportunity. If I’m doing that as a Labour MP in parliament, great. I will do that. As long as people keep voting for me, when they have the opportunity to at the election.”
Mr Healey confirmed he, like many Labour MPs, had spoken to Burnham since his by-election victory, but would not divulge the topics of their conversation.
Commentators have suggested Healey’s resignation as defence secretary, citing disagreements over funding in the Government’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP), was the final straw for Starmer’s premiership, an idea the MP refused to be drawn into.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I made my decision in the best interests of the country, not my career. I know the threats to the country. I know, as Keir Starmer does actually, what needs to be done. I’m confident we will get there and do that.”
Following Mr Healey’s resignation, the Government committed more investment in the Defence Investment Plan, though a significant chunk remains unfunded.
Healey said the money was “welcome” but there was “clearly more to do”.
He explained: “With demand on defence rising… we will have to invest more to play a part in the alliances that keep us safe and these are arguments that I will make in parliament and in private.”
“I resigned because what was settled as the DIP at that stage fell short of what the country needs. We need not just an investment now to reflect the rising demands on defence but we also need to meet the challenge in the medium term to meet our commitments internationally.
“That requires a bigger long term plan and that’s still work required, that’s in progress for the government and parliament to put in place.”