Ben Wallace will stand down as Defence Secretary and can NOT stand as MP in subsequent election
- He is not going to stand as a Conservative MP after 4 years as Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed he is not going to stand as MP within the subsequent common election.
After 4 years as Defence Secretary, Wallace has mentioned ‘I am is not going to be standing subsequent time’ in an interview with the Times.
Wallace added that he can even go away Rishi Sunak’s cupboard within the subsequent reshuffle which is predicted to happen in September.
He beforehand expressed an curiosity in standing for the function of Nato secretary-general however the present chief, Jens Stoltenberg, was given one other yr in cost regardless of navy alliance officers dismissing the claims earlier within the yr.
Mr Wallace has performed a key function in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was a detailed ally of Boris Johnson.
Ben Wallace beforehand expressed an curiosity in standing for the function of Nato secretary-general. The present chief, Jens Stoltenberg, was given one other yr in cost
Mr Wallace, who has performed a key function in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was a detailed ally of Boris Johnson, is now weighing up whether or not to exit politics fully, in response to the Occasions
Mr Wallace beforehand mentioned he stays supportive of Rishi Sunak and the Authorities and the departure wouldn’t be associated to the Conservative Get together’s present challenges.
Mr Wallace is massively well-liked amongst Tory members and had beforehand not dominated out a future bid to turn out to be the celebration’s chief – though he twice declined to face for the management final yr within the contests to switch Boris Johnson after which Liz Truss.
Final week, the Prime Minister shut down feedback from Mr Wallace wherein he instructed Ukraine ought to present ‘gratitude’ for the navy assist it had been given.
Mr Wallace had made the comment after the nation’s President Volodymyr Zelensky branded it ‘absurd’ for Nato to insist there have been nonetheless situations for his nation to fulfill earlier than it might acquire membership as soon as the struggle with Russia is over.
Mr Zelensky later mentioned: ‘I imagine that we had been at all times grateful to the UK.
‘I do not know what he meant and the way else we ought to be grateful.’
Mr Wallace is the longest repeatedly serving minister in Authorities, having been safety minister underneath Theresa Might earlier than being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson and persevering with the function underneath his two successors.
The Wyre and Preston North MP was beforehand appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister within the Northern Eire workplace in 2015 whereas David Cameron was prime minister.
All 13 of NATO’s earlier everlasting secretary-generals have been male, which has pressured the alliance to nominate a feminine chief when Mr Stoltenberg leaves after his 9 years in cost.
