UK: Grant Shapps appointed as Britain's new Defense Secretary, will take charge in place of Ben Wallace
UK: There has been a minor reshuffle at Westminster. In fact, Grant Shapps has been removed from his current role as Energy Secretary and given the responsibility of defense. This appointment has been made in place of Ben Wallace. Significantly, Ben will now contest elections as an MP. Grant Shapps has held several senior cabinet positions during his career.
The British government has named former Energy Secretary Grant Shapps as the country's new Defense Minister. Actually, Shapps will now replace Ben Wallace. Ben Wallace had said that he would resign from his post after four years. Significantly, he will leave his post as an MLA in the next national election.
Ben Wallace was being considered as the successor of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He played a key role in shaping Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.
During Ben Wallace's tenure, Britain committed 2.3 billion pounds ($2.9 billion) in military aid to Kyiv in 2022. Following this, Britain became the first country to start supplying long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine in May this year.
Wallace remained in office even as Britain was passing through one of the most turbulent periods in its political history. In fact, due to the scandal and economic upheaval, two Prime Ministers had to leave their post at that time.
Ben Wallace served as Defense Secretary under three prime ministers. He said that his military and political career had a personal impact on him and his family. Ben Wallace is standing as MP in the next election.
Grant Shapps has held several senior cabinet positions during his career. He has served in Transportation, Internal Affairs, Business and Energy, and Net Zero. This will be Shapps' fifth government post as Defense Minister. Shapps has been a longtime ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Also, he is expected to take on the responsibility of guiding Britain's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
