Ben Wallace, the British Defence Minister and member of the ruling Conservative party, has announced that he will not seek re-election as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the upcoming

national election. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Wallace revealed his decision to leave government during Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's next cabinet reshuffle. Having served as the MP for Wyre and Preston North since 2005, Wallace has held the position of Defence Secretary for four years, playing a key role in Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

While Wallace stated that he will not step down prematurely to trigger a by-election, he clarified his intention to withdraw from the political landscape. Sunak is currently facing three imminent by-elections, and recent opinion polls indicate potential losses for the Conservative party in all of them. As per British electoral regulations, a general election must be conducted within the next 18 months. The Sunday Times reported that a cabinet reshuffle is anticipated in September.

Wallace informed Sunak of his plans on June 16 but had initially intended to make a public announcement during the summer months. However, leaks forced him to disclose the news earlier than expected. Speculation surrounding Wallace's future has been circulating recently, exacerbated by the fact that his parliamentary constituency will be eliminated in the upcoming election due to boundary changes. He had not publicly pursued another seat, despite being considered as a potential successor to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. However, Stoltenberg's contract was extended by another year this month.

During the interview, Wallace expressed his primary concern regarding the potential of military conflict with Russia, be it accidental or deliberate. He highlighted the significance of Russia's reaction if they were to lose in Ukraine, emphasizing the lingering capabilities of Putin's air force and navy. Wallace cautioned that Putin's intentions should not be underestimated and predicted a possible escalation of tensions within the next few years.

Looking ahead, Wallace warned that Britain might become embroiled in additional conflicts. He foresaw a more unsafe and insecure world towards the end of the decade, ultimately expecting the country to find itself in a difficult position, whether in the form of a cold or warm conflict. Photo by Chris McAndrew, Wikimedia commons.