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John Healey

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The Right Honourable
John Healey
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Secretary of State for Defence
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 July 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byGrant Shapps
Minister of State for Housing and Planning
In office
5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010
Prime MinisterGordon Brown
Preceded byMargaret Beckett
Succeeded byGrant Shapps
Junior ministerial offices
2007–2009Local Government
2005–2007Financial Secretary
2002–2005Economic Secretary
2001–2002Adult Skills
Shadow cabinet portfolios
2020–2024Defence
2015–2020Housing
2010–2011Health
2010–2010Housing
Member of Parliament
for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Wentworth and Dearne (2010–2024)
Wentworth (1997–2010)
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 May 1997
Preceded byPeter Hardy
Majority6,908 (20.4%)
Personal details
Born (1960-02-13) 13 February 1960 (age 64)
Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Political partyLabour
Spouse
Jackie Bate
​
(m. 1993)​
Children1
EducationSt Peter's School, York
Alma materChrist's College, Cambridge (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website

John Healey (born 13 February 1960) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Defence since July 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, previously Wentworth and Wentworth and Dearne, since 1997.

Healey served under Tony Blair as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Adult Skills from 2001 to 2002, as Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 2002 to 2005, Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 2005 to 2007, and under Gordon Brown as Minister of State for Local Government from 2007 to 2009 and as Minister of State for Housing and Planning from 2009 to 2010.

Following the 2010 general election, he was elected to the Shadow Cabinet and was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health by Ed Miliband. He stood down from the role in October 2011 and was succeeded by Andy Burnham. He also served as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing from 2016 to 2020 under Jeremy Corbyn, and worked alongside Andrew Gwynne, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Early life and career

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John Healey was born on 13 February 1960 in Wakefield, the son of Aidan Healey OBE. He was educated at the Lady Lumley's School in Pickering before attending the independent St Peter's School, York for sixth form.[1] He studied Social and Political Science at Christ's College, Cambridge,[2] where he received a BA in 1982.

Healey worked as a journalist and the deputy editor of The House, the internal magazine of the Palace of Westminster, for a year in 1983.[3] In 1984 he became a full-time disability rights campaigner for several national charities.

Healey joined Issues Communications in 1990 as a campaign manager before becoming the head of communications at the Manufacturing, Science and Finance trade union in 1992.[4] He was appointed as the campaign director with the Trades Union Congress in 1994[3] in which capacity he remained until his election to the House of Commons. He was also a tutor at the Open University Business School.[3]

Parliamentary career

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Healey's first attempt to enter Parliament was as candidate for Ryedale at the 1992 general election, where he finished in third with 13.8% of the vote behind the incumbent Conservative MP John Greenway and the Liberal Democrat Elizabeth Shields.[5][6]

In government (1997–2010)

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At the 1997 general election, Healey was the Labour Party candidate for Wentworth, which had become available following the retirement of the Labour MP Peter Hardy. Healey was elected to Parliament with 72.3% of the vote and a majority of 23,959.[7]

Healey served as a member of the education and employment select committee from 1997 until he became the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown in 1999.

At the 2001 general election, Healey was re-elected as MP for Wentworth with a decreased vote share of 67.5% and a decreased majority of 16,449.[8] Following the election, he was appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Adult Skills at the Department for Education and Skills.

At the 2005 general election Healey was again re-elected with a decreased vote share of 59.6% and a decreased majority of 15,056.[9]

On 29 June 2007, Healey was moved to the Department for Communities and Local Government as a result of a government reshuffle. Shortly after his appointment he assumed responsibility for assisting the recovery from widespread flooding across the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

In a Cabinet reshuffle on 5 June 2009, he was appointed Minister of State for Housing and Planning, replacing Margaret Beckett who had resigned. While Minister of State for Housing and Planning, he was criticised for suggesting that more people renting properties rather than buying their own homes was a good thing.[10]

In opposition (2010–2024)

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At the 2010 general election Healey was elected to Parliament as the MP for the newly created constituency of Wentworth and Dearne with 50.6% of the vote and a majority of 13,920.[11][12]

Healey came second in the election for the shadow cabinet in 2010, and was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health.[13] He resigned from this position in 2011 in order to spend more time with his family.[14]

At the 2015 general election Healey was re-elected as MP for Wentworth and Dearne with an increased vote share of 56.3% and a decreased majority of 13,838.[15][16]

In 2015 three Rotherham Labour MPs, Kevin Barron, Sarah Champion and Healey, started a defamation legal action against UKIP MEP Jane Collins after Collins falsely alleged in a UKIP conference speech that the three MPs knew about child exploitation in Rotherham but did not intervene. In February 2017 the MPs were awarded £54,000 each in damages.[17]

Following the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader, Healey was appointed Shadow Minister for Housing. He supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour Party leadership election.[18] Following the leadership election, Healey was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Housing in October 2016.

At the snap 2017 general election Healey was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 65% and an increased majority of 14,803.[19] He was again re-elected at the 2019 general election, with a decreased vote share of 40.3% and a decreased majority of 2,165.[20][21]

Shadow cabinet

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Following the election of Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour party, Healey was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Defence in 2020.[22]

As Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Healey has repeatedly stressed his support for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war since Russia's invasion in 2022, endorsed the UK's support for Ukraine, and committed to continue Britain's support for Ukraine in any future Labour government.[23][24][25] In May 2024, Healey visited Kyiv along with Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy and met the head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. In a joint statement, Healey and Lammy stated: "The next Labour government's commitment to Ukraine will be ironclad, and European security will be our first foreign and defence priority."[26]

Healey has argued in favour of higher spending on the British military with a larger armed force, closer co-operation and leadership with NATO and European nations over security and defence matters, and for a "comprehensive UK-Germany defence and security pact".[27][28] Healey has said that NATO will need to do more "heavy-lifting' in Europe, as the winner of the 2024 US Presidential Election is likely to prioritise the threat of China.[29]

In April 2024, Healey committed to raising Britain's defence spending to 2.5% of Britain's GDP by 2030 and commissioning a strategic review of the threats to Britain and its capabilities.[23] In June 2024, he and Starmer announced Labour's nuclear deterrent "triple lock", pledging to build four Dreadnought-class submarines to replace Britain's existing Vanguard-class submarines, maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent, and deliver needed upgrades now and in future.[30]

Healey voted in favour of British participation in the 2003 Iraq War.[31][32] In 2024, he said that the decision to go to war "wasn't sound at the time" and said the lesson was that military intervention could not have a successful outcome without sufficient diplomatic, economic, and security follow-through.[32]

Secretary of State for Defence (2024–present)

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Healey with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in July 2024

Due to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Healey's constituency of Wentworth and Dearne was abolished, and replaced with Rawmarsh and Conisbrough. At the 2024 general election, Healey was elected to Parliament as MP for Rawmarsh and Conisborough with 49% of the vote and a majority of 6,908.[33][34] After Labour's victory at the general election, Healey was appointed Secretary of State for Defence by Starmer on 5 July.[35] Healey visited Ukraine shortly after being appointed Defence Secretary, meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Odessa.[36]

Healey alongside Starmer, attended the 2024 NATO Summit on 9 July, where he told reporters in that Britain will be the "leading European nation" in defence spending and declared that Britain will be "democracy's most reliable ally". Healey said that he acknowledged that the European members of the alliance, have to take on more responsibility in guarding both Ukraine and the west against Russia and also the need to cooperate with the US regardless of whose inside the White House.[37][38]

Healey with PM Starmer
Healey with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Arlington National Cemetery on 11 July 2024

Healey supported the government's "root and branch" defence review and hailed it as the "first of its kind" which would consider the state of the armed forces, threats to national security and the defence capabilities needed to address with ultimate the goal of spending 2.5% of national income on defence.[39][40] Upon taking office, Healey said that problems in the British military were "worse than we thought" after a defence review was conducted by the new government. He noted that "these are serious times" with "rapidly increasing global threats" and said that he wanted to avoid "age-old tactics" by the armed forces over funds to back pet projects.[41] Following a financial audit conducted by the government following the election, Healey warned of possible cuts on defence spending as "tough choices" lie ahead to tackle the £22 billion "black hole" in public finances.[42]

On 3 September, the government announced that it had suspended 30 out of 350 export licences to Israel which faced criticism from both politicians and the Jewish community. The criticism was due to the timing of the suspension, as it took place on the same day as the funerals of six murdered hostages were held. Healey responded by saying that it was the government's "legal responsibility" to review export licences and to judge "whether there is a clear risk that anything we supply from this country could be linked to a serious violation of international humanitarian law".[43][44] Healey stated that "without fear or favour" the government will subscribe to international law in reference to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan applying arrest warrants against three senior Hamas officials alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Healey also further stated that failure to recognise the ICC ruling will threaten global "rules-based order".[45]

Personal life

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Healey married Jackie Bate on 25 October 1993 in Lambeth and they have one son.

References

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  1. ^ "Shadow Housing Secretary returns to St Peter's". www.stpetersyork.org.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. ^ Hetherington, Peter (24 July 2007). "More power to the regions". The Guardian. London.
  3. ^ a b c "PolicyMogul". policymogul.com. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. ^ "About John". John Healey MP. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  10. ^ "John Healey, housing minister, attacked for lauding fall in ownership". The Daily Telegraph. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Election results: Wentworth & Dearne". BBC News. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet". BBC News. 8 October 2013.
  14. ^ Stratton, Allegra (7 October 2011). "Ed Miliband to bring former ministers into shadow cabinet in reshuffle". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Wentworth & Dearne". BBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Jane Collins defamation case: Labour Rotherham MPs awarded £54,000". BBC News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  18. ^ "Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith". LabourList. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Wentworth & Dearne", BBC News
  20. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations". Rotherham Council. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Wentworth & Dearne Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  22. ^ "John Healey Appointed Shadow Defence Secretary". British Forces Broadcasting Service. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  23. ^ a b Healey, John (28 February 2024). "A New Era for UK Defence with Labour". Policy Exchange. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  24. ^ Healey, John (11 September 2023). "Just 14 UK tanks for Ukraine? We must do better than that". The Independent. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  25. ^ "London Defence Conference: Defence and security will be priorities, say Labour". King's College London. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  26. ^ McKiernan, Jennifer (13 May 2024). "Labour pledges 'iron-clad' support for Ukraine against Putin". BBC News. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  27. ^ Fraser, Tali (16 June 2023). "The John Healey interview: 'We are falling short on our Nato obligations'". Politics Home. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  28. ^ Wright, Oliver (3 June 2024). "Ex-forces candidates prove Labour is party of defence, says Starmer". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  29. ^ Gallardo, Christina (9 March 2023). "Labour urges 'realism' on UK's Indo-Pacific military ambitions". Politico. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  30. ^ Adu, Aletha (2 June 2024). "Keir Starmer to declare Labour as 'party of national security'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  31. ^ John Healey MP, Wentworth voted strongly for the policy Iraq 2003 – For the invasion. PublicWhip. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  32. ^ a b Boffey, Daniel (22 March 2024). "John Healey: frontbench veteran uniquely equipped to ready Labour for office". The Guardian.
  33. ^ "Rawmarsh and Conisbrough results". BBC News. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  34. ^ "RESULTS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION: THURSDAY 4 JULY 2024". Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Ministerial Appointments: July 2024". GOV.UK. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  36. ^ Ryan, Missy (11 July 2024). "Britain's new government vows to prioritize Ukraine fight". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  37. ^ Sabbagh, Dan (10 July 2024). "UK will be 'leading European nation' in Nato, defence secretary pledges". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  38. ^ Diver, Tony (10 July 2024). "Britain will be 'democracy's most reliable ally', John Healey tells Nato". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Government launches 'root and branch' defence review". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  40. ^ "New era for defence: government launches root and branch review of UK Armed Forces". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Problems in British military 'much worse than we thought', Defence Secretary John Healey says". Sky News. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  42. ^ Candlin, Alex (3 September 2024). "Defence spending cuts could be made to tackle £22bn black hole, Healey warns". www.forcesnews.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Defence Secretary John Healey defends timing of partial ban on arms to Israel – as Priti Patel condemns 'shocking betrayal'". Sky News. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  44. ^ "UK defends partial Israel arms ban as Netanyahu calls it 'shameful'". BBC News. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Gaza: Labour Government will apply international law 'without fear or favour'". www.shropshirestar.com. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Healey (politician).
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Wentworth
1997–2010 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Wentworth and Dearne
2010–2024 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
2024–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Adult Skills
2001–2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Economic Secretary to the Treasury
2002–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Financial Secretary to the Treasury
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State for Local Government
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State for Housing and Planning
2009–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government
2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Health
2010–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning
2015–2016 		Vacant
New office Shadow Secretary of State for Housing
2016–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
2020–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of State for Defence
2024–present 		Incumbent
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