Two junior ministers have stepped down from their positions in the UK government. Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow, resigned from his role as skills, apprenticeships and higher education minister and also confirmed that he will not be standing in the forthcoming general election. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, Halfon praised him and stated that he believed there was a “quiet admiration” for him across the country. Similarly, James Heappey, minister for the armed forces, also announced his resignation.
Heappey, the Conservative MP for Wells, Somerset, voiced his intention to quit as an MP earlier this month. Heppey was reportedly unhappy with the level of defence spending and believed to be still smarting after being overlooked for the defence secretary role last year. Regardless, in a message on social media platform X, he stated that he had “loved every minute” in “this incredible department” and affirmed his “full commitment” until the end of this parliament.
Halfon, on the other hand, praised Mr Sunak’s work promoting apprenticeships. Halfon chaired the education select committee until his return to the Department for Education under Mr Sunak. He was first elected in 2010 and acted as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party when David Cameron was Prime Minister. He also served as skills minister under Theresa May. In his letter to Mr Sunak, Halfon quoted fictional wizard Gandalf from one of his favourite novels, Lord of the Rings, saying: “My time is over: it is no longer my task to set things to rights, nor to help folk to do so. And as for you, my dear friends, you will need no help.…among the great you are, and I no longer have any fear at all for any of you.”
The resignations come at a critical time for the Conservative Party as they prepare for the general election expected later this year. The party is struggling in the polls, with 63 Tory MPs having already left the Commons
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