In a letter to Rishi Sunak on Thursday morning, he mentioned: “As I end my tenure, I can replicate that the Ministry of Defence that I depart is now extra fashionable, higher funded and extra assured than the organisation I took over in 2019. In addition to being energetic around the globe we now have additionally invested in prosperity at house.
“The UK is revered around the globe for our Armed Forces and that respect has solely grown extra because the conflict in Ukraine .
“I do know you agree with me that we should not return to the times the place Defence was considered as a discretionary spend by Authorities and financial savings have been achieved by hollowing out.”
He added that his dedication to the armed forces had come at a “private toll to me and my household”.
“After a lot reflection, I’ve taken the choice to ask that I be allowed to step down,” he mentioned. “I received my seat in 2005 and after so a few years it’s time for me to spend money on the components of life that I’ve uncared for, and to discover new alternatives.”
The PM mentioned Mr Wallace has served his nation with “distinction”.
Mr Sunak added: “You could have been a vigorous advocate for the defence of the realm.”
Mr Shapps was the shock frontrunner for the job on Thursday morning.
He visited Ukraine final week and tweeted: “What I noticed in Kyiv this week was a folks resolute of their defiance towards Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression.”
Former PM Boris Johnson mentioned he was “unhappy to see” the departure of Mr Wallace however “Grant Shapps is a superb option to succeed him”.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey and Chief Secretary to the TreasuryJohn Glen have additionally each been linked with the function.
Former defence secretary Liam Fox is a chance, the Telegraph reported.
Dr Fox , who served within the function below prime minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2011, was compelled to resign after permitting his good friend and greatest man Adam Werritty to tackle an unofficial and undeclared function as his adviser.
The senior Tory MP backed Mr Sunak in final summer season’s Conservative management race.
Mr Wallace, who served below three prime ministers in his present function, performed a key half within the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was an in depth ally of Boris Johnson.
Widespread amongst Tory members, he was at one time seen as a possible management contender.
He dominated himself out of the operating for the Conservative management final yr regardless of being an early frontrunner within the race to switch Mr Johnson.
His successor will tackle the high-profile function because the conflict in Ukraine continues.
A Labour supply mentioned: “The outgoing defence secretary has proven actual management in supporting Ukraine from the beginning and Labour will proceed to face shoulder to shoulder with the federal government in assist of the folks of Ukraine till the conflict towards Russia is received.
“We’ve to remain the course and see this by. Whereas Ben Wallace deserves credit score for his assist of Ukraine’s armed forces, his document on British armed forces has been poor, with cuts and procurement failures the order of the day. The brand new defence secretary must get a grip, increase British forces and provides them the assets, package and lodging they deserve.”
