Ben Wallace warns of vulnerability
Ben Wallace, the current UK Defence Secretary, has resigned from his position, warning that Britain will become vulnerable if more funds are not allocated. In his resignation letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Wallace expressed his belief that the world will become more insecure and unstable in the coming decade. He emphasized the need for investment at this time.
Grant Shapps appointed as replacement
In a limited mini-reshuffle of the cabinet, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed his close ally Grant Shapps to replace Wallace. This marks Shapps' fifth cabinet job in just one year. However, the appointment has raised concerns in the Army due to Shapps' lack of experience in the defence brief. Senior figures fear that he may not prioritize allocating funds to support the struggling forces.
Army concerned about lack of expertise
Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff of the British Army, voiced his concerns about Shapps' ability to handle the complex portfolio of defence. He suggested that it may take time for Shapps to familiarize himself with the issues at hand and that there is a risk of stagnation in the debate on defence resources until then. Army chiefs are hoping that Shapps can effectively advocate for increased investment in defence.
Shapps' previous roles and defense of the appointment
Shapps has previously served as Home Secretary, Transport Secretary, Business Secretary, and Energy Secretary. Tory MP Bob Neil defended the appointment, stating that Shapps is intelligent and quickly grasps the brief. However, some question whether Shapps will continue the discussions and push for increased defence spending or choose to remain quiet on the issue.
Limited reshuffle ahead of MPs' return to Westminster
Prime Minister Boris Johnson conducted a limited mini-reshuffle of his top team ahead of MPs' return to Westminster next week. As part of this reshuffle, Claire Coutinho, the former special advisor to Rishi Sunak, was promoted to Energy Secretary, replacing Grant Shapps. David Johnston MP was subsequently promoted to the vacant role of Children's Minister. Further changes to the cabinet are expected to take place after party conference season and the King's Speech in November.
Tributes to Ben Wallace
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to Ben Wallace, commending him for his service as Defence Secretary since his appointment in 2019. Johnson highlighted Wallace's successes, particularly his handling of the situation in Ukraine.
