Putting his money where his mouth is, Ben Wallace, the British secretary of state for defense, officially resigned on Thursday, August 31. A supporter of "Remain" in the 2016 referendum on membership of the European Union, he was nevertheless among Boris Johnson's loyalists. He had announced his intention to leave in July, citing his desire, at 53, to devote more time to his family. He is expected to finish his term as Westminster MP but has said he will not stand for re-election to Parliament in 2024.
"That's all folks! Been a privilege to serve this great nation," he casually posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. With his departure, the British government loses a popular and respected minister, who played a pre-eminent role in the United Kingdom's early and very firm support for Ukraine. Wallace will be replaced by Grant Shapps, 54, former energy secretary and an ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The son of a military man (his father was in the 1st King's Dragoon Guards cavalry regiment), Wallace's background is not typical for a Conservative of his generation. Although privately educated, he did not go to Oxford or Cambridge (the universities of the political and social elite), preferring the Sandhurst military academy, after a few odd jobs, most notably as a ski instructor in Tyrol, Austria. He joined the Scots Guards and served 10 years in Germany, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, leaving active service with the rank of captain.
His political career began in 1999, when he was elected member of the newly formed Scottish parliament. He left Scotland for the House of Commons in 2005, after standing for Westminster in a constituency in the northeast of England. It was Boris Johnson, whose campaign to become leader of the Tories he supported, who appointed him to defense secretary in July 2019. He remained there for four years, longer than could have been expected.
This rather discreet man has not been caught up in scandals. He did not compromise himself by attending Downing Street parties during the lockdown, unlike Johnson (or Sunak, who was fined in 2022 for popping his head in at Johnson's birthday party). "In Europe and NATO, Mr. Wallace was seen as someone bringing stability when British Conservative governments were in chaos," said Camille Grand, a researcher at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and former deputy secretary general for defense investment at NATO.
Above all, it was his unwavering support for Ukraine that earned him respect within the Tories and internationally. "I want to thank my friend and colleague for everything he has done for Ukraine," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov wrote in a heartfelt tribute on X. "His energy and dedication have allowed the boldest plans to be realized (...). He has led by example. His authority has inspired other countries to join in assisting Ukraine." French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu said, "Thank you! For our excellent work together, in support of Ukraine and for a stronger common security."
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