The resignation of UK Defence Minister John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns has dealt another blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. This calculated move signals Healey's ambition for higher office, but it also exposes the fragility of the Aukus nuclear submarine deal.
Aukus: A Political Stunt from the Start
By leaving Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong waiting in London while he focused on domestic politics, Healey demonstrated that Aukus was never more than a political stunt, expendable once it served its purpose.
Conceived in secret and launched by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in September 2021, Aukus was a hurried attempt to meet divergent political objectives. For Australia, it provided a security blanket and wedged Labor on national security. For Britain, it aimed to restore strategic credibility post-Brexit and secure funding for its submarine industry. For the US, it locked allies into strategic dependency.
Fundamental Questions Remain Unanswered
Five years on, basic policy questions about Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines remain unanswered: Why? What are the options? At what cost? Are there alternatives? The Congressional Research Service and US officials have expressed doubts about the viability of Aukus submarines, noting the US naval construction industry's inability to meet demands.
Healey's actions have shown that Aukus is not about policy but political theatre. Once the political purpose disappears, the show is over.
