John Healey’s departure is less of a surprise than it may seem

Despite his managerial veneer and quiet approach, the outgoing defence secretary is a highly political operator

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If there was one thing Downing Street could rely on with John Healey, it was avoiding unnecessary drama. Whether in parliament or on the morning broadcast round, his sober suits and general demeanour of a benign but firm headteacher spelled reassurance.

But then, just before 12.10pm on Wednesday, the drama arrived. In a letter posted to social media, Healey resigned as defence secretary, a job he had held – whether in government or its shadow equivalent – from the moment Keir Starmer became Labour leader.