UK Defense Secretary to resign ahead of new cabinet reshuffle

Updated date: 07/16/2023 15:56:04

News that Mr Wallace is leaving the British government emerged after he missed out on becoming the next NATO Secretary General.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace speaks at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, October 2, 2022 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

In an interview published on July 15, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said he would resign before the upcoming cabinet reshuffle and not run for re-election as a member of parliament in the next general election.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr. Wallace said he would leave Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's cabinet in the next reshuffle, expected in September, but would remain a party MP to avoid having to hold a by-election.

However, he will not run for re-election as a member of parliament in the general election scheduled to take place late next year at the latest.

The reason he is not running for MP is because his constituency in the North West of England will be eliminated due to changes in electoral boundaries.

The Sunday Times said Mr Wallace informed Prime Minister Sunak of the plans last month.

Mr. Wallace was appointed as British Defense Secretary on July 24, 2019 and is now the longest-serving Conservative Defense Secretary since Winston Churchill, who held the position from 1940-1945.

He was elected to the House of Commons in 2005 and is currently the Member of Parliament for the England constituency of Wyre and Preston North.

News that Mr Wallace is leaving the British government emerged after he missed out on becoming the next NATO Secretary General.

Mr Wallace had previously expressed interest in the position and was actively lobbied by Prime Minister Sunak, but did not receive support from the US, which holds the leadership role in NATO.

According to VNA/NDO

Source link: https://baodongthap.vn/quoc-te/bo-truong-quoc-phong-anh-se-tu-chuc-truoc-dot-cai-to-noi-cac-moi-115405.aspx