Tories
Ben Wallace Officially Quits – Read His Full Resignation Letter Here

Former British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has now officially resigned, with his replacement, Grant Shapps, pledging to continue backing Ukraine.
The appointment becomes Mr Shapps’ fifth cabinet job in under a year, with his previous roles including energy secretary, transport secretary and home secretary.
Ben Wallace is standing down as an MP at the next election, after four years as defence secretary.
In a statement, Mr Shapps said he was “honoured” to take on the role.
Mr Shapps paid tribute to the “enormous contribution Mr Wallace has made to UK defence and global security over the last four years”.
“I am looking forward to working with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation’s security,” he added.
Shapps appointment appears to have been planned well in advance, with the now Defence Secretary having visited Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, last week.
What I saw in Kyiv this week was a people resolute in their defiance against Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression…
And a nation standing strong and powering ahead in spite of constant attacks 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/tB50EuciyJ
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 25, 2023
Meanwhile, outgoing Defence secretary Ben Wallace delivered the following resignation letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak:
“Dear Prime Minister, Last month marked my fourth year as Secretary of State for Defence. It also marks the ninth year as a Minister. I have had the privilege of serving you and your predecessors in the task of protecting this great country and keeping its citizens safe.
As you know that responsibility carries with it a 24/7 duty to be available at almost no notice. In my time as both Security Minister and at Defence, I have been able to contribute to the Government’s response to a range of threats and incidents.
From Wannacry, the 2017 terrorist attacks, the Salisbury Poisonings, Afghanistan, Sudan and Ukraine, it has been an honour to serve alongside the men and women of our Armed forces and intelligence services who sacrifice so much for our security.
The last four years has seen our Armed Forces and their leadership shine through. Whether it was the evacuation of Kabul, our Covid response, Ukraine or Sudan, the professionalism of our people has been first class.
The investment you made in Defence as Chancellor and the continued support you have shown as Prime Minister has been key to enabling the Ministry of Defence to deliver for Britain. I am personally very grateful for your leadership.
As I finish my tenure, I can reflect that the Ministry of Defence that I leave is now more modern, better funded and more confident than the organisation I took over in 2019. As well as being active around the world we have also invested in prosperity at home.
I am proud that I have secured GCAP, AUKUS, NCF, National shipbuilding and the Defence and Security industrial strategies that will secure thousands of British jobs for our young people many years into the future. The Ministry of Defence is back on the path to being once again world class with world class people.
The United Kingdom is respected around the world for our Armed Forces and that respect has only grown more since the war in Ukraine. I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where Defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by Government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.
I genuinely believe that over the next decade the world will get more insecure and more unstable. We both share the belief that now is the time to invest. Ever since I joined the Army I have dedicated myself to serving my country. That dedication however comes at a personal toll to me and my family.
After much reflection, I have taken the decision to ask that I be allowed to step down. I won my seat in 2005 and after so many years it is time for me to invest in the parts of life that I have neglected, and to explore new opportunities. Thank you for the support and your friendship. You and the Government will have my continued support.”
Joe Scott
August 31, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Don’t they mean Grant Mis-happs…