Ben Wallace, the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary, is reportedly considering leaving government as part of an anticipated autumn reshuffle, according to sources familiar with the matter. The potential departure of Wallace, a close ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, comes after an unsuccessful bid to become the next head of NATO and as the current prime minister prepares to revamp his top team ahead of next year’s election.
The Times initially broke the news about the defence secretary’s possible departure, and a source informed Sky News that Wallace is likely to make a decision next month regarding whether to stay in his role or step down. If he chooses to leave, he would also resign as a Member of Parliament.
It is believed that any decision to resign would be a personal one and unrelated to Rishi Sunak or any issues within the Conservative Party.
Speculation regarding Wallace’s future has been mounting in recent weeks, leaving officials within the Ministry of Defence speculating on potential replacements. Names that have been circulating include Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a foreign office minister and former defence minister, Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, and Jeremy Quinn, a cabinet office minister and former defence minister. Sources have mentioned Jeremy Quinn as a strong possibility to replace Wallace.
According to The Times, John Glen, chief secretary to the Treasury, is considered the frontrunner for the position.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Wallace is highly regarded within the Conservative Party. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving minister in the current government, having served under five prime ministers since 2014. Over the past four years, he has overseen the Ministry of Defence.
Throughout his tenure, Wallace has been a vocal advocate for increased support to Ukraine, urging the UK and its allies to do more in the country’s defense. He has also gained attention for his outspoken nature and occasionally colorful language, which has resulted in some controversial headlines.
Recently, during a NATO summit, Wallace made comments to journalists, expressing that the UK was not an “Amazon” delivery service for weapons to Ukraine and highlighting the importance of gratitude. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responded with appreciation for the UK’s support.
Wallace’s focus on securing more funding for the armed forces in the face of growing threats and years of budget cuts has occasionally created tensions with Rishi Sunak, both during Sunak’s time as chancellor and now as prime minister. However, Wallace’s strong support within the Conservative Party makes it challenging for him to be dismissed from his position.
Another factor Wallace must consider is the impending boundary changes that will effectively result in the loss of his current constituency, Wyre and Preston North, at the next general election. To remain an MP, he would need to secure the Conservative Party’s candidacy in another constituency, which is feasible if he decides to continue in politics.
The final decision regarding Wallace’s future as defence secretary will likely be disclosed in the coming weeks, shedding light on the potential changes within the government’s top ranks.
