Minister for Energy Security Grand Shops was appointed Defense Minister this Thursday, with Ben Wallace formalizing his previously announced resignation.
Shoppes, 54, a supporter of Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership election, is one of the most senior members of the government, having held the portfolios of the economy, home affairs, transport and international development.
The change should result in a small government change.
Ben Wallace, 53, officially resigned as Defense Minister today after expressing his desire to retire from political life over the summer.
Elected vice-president in 2005, he spent nine years in government, including four as defense minister.
This year he was nominated to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as head of NATO, but he did not have the support of the United States, and Norway extended his mandate until October 2024.
Despite being recognized for his role in supporting Ukraine in the face of a Russian invasion, Wallace stirred controversy at a NATO summit in Vilnius in July when he insisted that the UK was not an arms delivery service for the Amazon and that Kiev should be smart. “Show thanks” to his supporters.
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