UK: Britain names new Defense Minister, Grant Shapps replaces Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace was replaced as Britain’s new defense minister on Thursday by Grant Shapps, an ex-energy secretary.

The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP @GrantShapps has been appointed Secretary of State for Defence @DefenceHQ pic.twitter.com/ln5Sw6ZRyq

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) August 31, 2023

Retirement on cards?

Ben, who announced he had planned to resign after four years in the position and will stand down as an MP at the next general election, was replaced as the country’s new defense minister on Thursday by Grant Shapps, an ex-energy secretary.

Wallace’s stellar past

Wallace played a key role in determining Britain’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year and was regarded as a potential successor to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Under his leadership, Britain gave Kyiv 2.3 billion pounds ($2.9 billion) in military aid in 2022 and started supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles for the first time in May of this year to help end Europe’s most significant land battle since World Battle Two.

Holding down the fort

When Britain experienced one of the most volatile periods in its political history last year, with the resignation of two prime ministers due to scandal and economic unrest, Wallace remained in office.

Stars in experience

Shapps has worked for four different ministries over the past year, including transport, internal affairs, business, energy, and net zero. The position in the defense department will be his fifth in the government. It is unlikely that his appointment will alter Britain’s support for Ukraine against Russia.