USA: Ben Wallace, the UK's defense secretary, announced to the UK Times on Saturday that he would be leaving the government at the upcoming cabinet reshuffle in the fall and would not run for reelection. He stated that he is eager to completely abandon politics following his failed attempt to lead NATO.
Wallace emphasized that he had no plans to quit the cabinet "prematurely" and call an extra election, saying the reason he was stepping down was the dissolution of his constituency rather than a likely Conservative defeat. In comments to the Times, he hinted that he had grown tired of the job, highlighting his 24-year political career and saying, "I've spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed."
By the end of the decade, according to the minister, the world will be "much more unsafe and insecure," with Russia, China, and "terrorist groups that have still not gone away" posing a threat from all sides, and the UK likely to become embroiled in "a cold or a warm conflict."
Wallace held the position of defense secretary for four years, working for three different prime ministers while outlining the UK's key role in arming Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Wallace was close friends with former prime minister Boris Johnson, who is said to have intervened last year during a state visit to Ukraine to prevent President Vladimir Zelensky from discussing peace with Moscow.
Wallace, despite his unwavering support for Ukraine, drew criticism last week when he noted that support for the conflict was dwindling among its western allies and that a demonstration of "gratitude" rather than a detailed list of weapons demands might help lawmakers soften their hearts. Zelensky responded to Wallace's remarks with sarcasm, offering to "wake up every morning and personally thank the minister," so Wallace was forced to clarify that the comments were not his own and that the UK was committed to "helping Ukraine procure what they need to triumph."
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After Jens Stoltenberg's term was extended last month, Wallace formally renounced his bid to succeed him as NATO Secretary General, stating that the organization's new leader would "have to please both [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [US President Joe] Biden," neither of whom had endorsed his candidacy. According to reports, Biden opposed his bid because Wallace advocated for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s in an effort to compel the US to supply them behind Washington's back.
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With the defense minister joining more than 40 other Conservative MPs in saying they won't run again, some are predicting that the party, which has had four prime ministers in as many years, will lose the upcoming election.
