Heappey's Decision
Armed forces minister James Heappey has announced that he will be stepping down from his government post and will not seek re-election at the next election. Citing family reasons and a desire to pursue a different career, the former soldier shared this news in a letter to his constituents.
Defense Spending Concerns
The decision comes amidst a growing row over defense spending, with concerns mounting after no additional funds were allocated for defense in the recent Budget announcement. Jeremy Hunt has stated that defense spending will increase to 2.5% of national income when economic conditions allow, but details on how and when this will happen remain unclear.
Backlash and Calls for Action
The lack of investment in defense has sparked backlash within both the Conservative party and military ranks. Two serving ministers have broken ranks to call for an immediate boost in cash for defense. Heappey, who was seen as a potential replacement for the current Defence Secretary, has long been an advocate for increased funding for troops and previously threatened to resign over the issue.
No Row Over Defense Cash?
Despite the growing concerns and Heappey's departure, Downing Street has denied any connection between his decision and defense spending. The Prime Minister's spokesman emphasized Heappey's desire for a career change and stated that there is no indication that his resignation is linked to defense funding.
MP Turnover at the Next Election
With over 60 Conservative MPs already announcing that they will not be running in the next election, and a total of 98 MPs publicly stating they will not seek re-election or contest their current seat, the House of Commons is set to see a significant turnover in members.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/nats-chiefs-forced-to-publish-100-pages-of-whatsapps-snp-accused-of-cover-up/
