abc.net.au/news/ben-wallace-confirms-resignation-as-uk-defence-minister/102801218Former energy minister Grant Shapps has replaced Ben Wallace as Britain's defence minister, a promotion for a man relied upon by the government as a good media communicator but lacking in direct experience of the military.
Mr Shapps, 54, visited Kyiv earlier this month, announcing export finance guarantees and also visiting the kindergarten once attended by the young son of the family who now lives with him under Britain's "Homes for Ukraine" scheme.It will be the fifth job for Mr Shapps over the last year, after serving in four different ministries — as the minister for transport, interior affairs, business and then at energy and net zero.
In his resignation letter, Ben Wallace warned the prime minister not to see defence as a "discretionary spend". Seen as a strong advocate for increased spending on the armed forces, Mr Wallace had hoped to be a potential successor to NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, but Mr Stoltenberg's contract was extended by another year.
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