New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham named the country’s ex-defense secretary as his finance minister, a surprise move that signals a focus on military spending.
John Healey quit his former post last month after accusing then-premier Keir Starmer of endangering Britain by not committing to spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030. In his new role as chancellor of the exchequer for a major NATO ally and the world’s fifth-largest economy, Healey will now be under pressure to achieve that plan himself.
Burnham also tapped former energy chief Ed Miliband as foreign secretary in a move that could irk Washington; Miliband reportedly played a key role in the UK’s resistance to getting involved in the US campaign against Iran.