Ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace says Trump parroting Russian ‘propaganda lines’
Ben Wallace has accused US president Donald Trump of echoing “propaganda lines” from the Kremlin. The former defence secretary’s comments came after Trump appeared to blame Ukraine for starting war against Russia. In a press conference on Tuesday, the US president criticised Kyiv’s negotiation skills and suggested the war in Ukraine could have been “settled […]
Conservative MPs ‘march towards the guns’
The below content first appeared in Politics.co.uk’s Politics@Lunch newsletter, subscribe here and never miss this daily briefing. Behold, another grim week of crisis management for our embattled, under-fire, beleaguered prime minister, Rishi Sunak. (More adjectives on a postcard, i.e. in response to this email). Reports over the weekend were full of stories of prospective plots, coups […]
Conservative grandees issue warning to Rwanda rebels: do not ‘wreck’ Sunak’s government
Conservative “big beasts” are lining up behind Rishi Sunak ahead of a crunch vote this evening over his Rwanda bill, amid speculation that a series of party right factions could rebel. In his first major intervention since his resignation as defence secretary earlier this year, Ben Wallace warned rebels in an article for the Telegraph […]
Grant Shapps says he will ‘fight’ for higher defence budget ‘in my own way’
Grant Shapps has insisted said he will “fight” for a higher budget for the Ministry of Defence “in my own way”. The defence secretary, who was appointed to the role last Thursday, was asked on Sky News if he will be continue his predecessor Ben Wallace’s legacy of lobbying for more defence funding. As defence […]
Mini-reshuffle complete as Shapps handed defence and Coutinho confirmed as energy secretary
Grant Shapps has been named the new defence secretary following the resignation of Ben Wallace this morning. Rishi Sunak appears to have selected Mr Shapps, who was serving in cabinet as energy security and net zero secretary, as Mr Wallace’s replacement because he is deemed in Whitehall to be a safe pick. Meanwhile, Claire Coutinho, […]
Ben Wallace resigns as Sunak hails ‘dedication and skill’ of former defence secretary
Ben Wallace has this morning resigned as defence secretary. In his letter accepting Mr Wallace’s resignation, the prime minister said: “You have served our country with distinction. Your strategic foresight and clarity has been invaluable to our country and the security of our continent. You saw, before others did, what Vladimir Putin’s true intentions in […]
Ben Wallace resigns – read his letter of resignation, and the PM’s reply, in full
Ben Wallace has resigned as defence secretary ahead of an expected reshuffle from the prime minister. Read his resignation letter in full: 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 […]
Who is Ben Wallace’s ‘battle for defence’ against?
Rishi Sunak faces some familiar problems as he gears up for the Spring Budget on March 15. Not least of all, Jeremy Hunt’s decision to retain the corporation tax hike which is likely to put the prime minister on a collision course with Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. The manoeuvring predecessors are desperate as ever […]
The Russian army has ‘failed’, insists Wallace one year on from Ukraine invasion
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, has argued that the Russian army’s tactical changes in Ukraine show Vladimir Putin has “failed” to secure his original objectives. On the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ministry of defence tweeted this morning that Russia has “likely changed its approach” in its military offensive, with its […]
MoD facing ‘uphill battle’ with Jeremy Hunt over spending, suggests Wallace as budget tussle looms
Ben Wallace has suggested the ministry of defence (MoD) is facing an “uphill battle” with Jeremy Hunt as he tries to secure more defence spending at the upcoming budget. The defence secretary has said he will have “lots of meetings with the Chancellor” between now and March 15 as he works to “insulate” the ministry […]
