Starmer Vows to Stay as UK PM Despite Defence Spending Meltdown

—Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted he had not lost authority and would fight to keep his job after two consecutive defence ministers resigned over his refusal to accelerate military spending. Starmer told reporters he had a duty to stay in office and would make the case for his budget approach directly to backbench MPs. The resignations have rattled Labour's parliamentary coalition, with dozens of MPs voicing anger in private. Polls show Starmer's personal ratings dropping, though Labour maintains a lead over the Conservatives. The crisis comes at a moment when NATO allies are pressing member states to sharply increase defence investment.