Truss quits: Could the Garstang MP become next Tory leader and prime minister?

Thursday, 20 October 2022 16:16

Speculation is mounting on whether or not the Garstang MP, Ben Wallace, might stand as a candidate to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.

The UK will have its third Prime Minister in just a few months after her decision to step down after just 44 days in office, with the party aiming to elect a new leader by the end of next week.

The defence secretary and former soldier is widely respected for the role he has played in the UK's support for Ukraine.

He stayed neutral in the Tory leadership race before eventually backing Ms Truss.

There are doubts over whether he would want to be leader, having ruled himself out of this summer's race despite being considered a frontrunner after "careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family".

The defence secretary told The Times on Tuesday that he wants to remain in his post amid speculation he could be a unity candidate to become PM.

Mr Wallace rebuked his Conservative colleagues for playing "political parlour games", telling the newspaper: "The public wants stability and security and if the government fails to deliver that then they will send us into opposition."

Asked if he wanted the keys to Number 10, he said: "I want to be the secretary of state for defence until I finish. I love the job I do and we have more to do. I want the prime minister to be the prime minister and I want to do this job."

Mr Wallace's only cabinet post has been defence secretary, which he has held since July 2019.

But he has signalled he would likely quit if the government ditches a key pledge to boost defence spending.

On Monday, new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt refused to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence, telling Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby he was "not giving any answers on any specific elements" of tax and spending policy.

Mr Wallace had yet to make any comment following the resignation of Ms Truss.