Two respected ministers announced they are quitting their roles as the Tory exodus from the Commons grew.
Skills minister Robert Halfon and armed forces minister James Heappey broke the news of their departures just hours after Rishi Sunak appeared before the Common Liaison Committee ahead of the Commons rising for Easter.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Halfon said: “I feel that it is time for me to step down at the forthcoming General Election, and in doing so, to resign as a Minister in your Government.”
The Harlow MP is a former chairman of the Commons education committee and advocate of Blue Collar Conservatism, who is seen as more in touch with voters than some of his Tory colleagues.
Mr Heappey had already said he is quitting as an MP at the next election.
But he confirmed his resignation as armed forces minister.
The Tory MP for Wells posted on X: “I’ve loved every minute as MinAF in this incredible department. Our Armed Forces & MOD civil servants are the very best of us. Representing them in Parliament & around the world over last 4.5 years has been an amazing privilege.”
More than 60 MPs elected as Conservatives, some who are currently sitting as independents, have now said they are standing down at the election, with the Tories flatlining in the polls on about 20 per cent, way behind Labour with some surveys putting the gap at up to 27 points.
The departure of the two middle-ranking ministers comes after ex-Prime Minister Theresa May and a string of former Cabinet ministers including ex-Home Secretary Sajid Javid said they would be going at the election, expected in the autumn.
Reflecting on his time at the Ministry of Defence, Mr Heappey added: “From the first COBR on Covid-19 to the most recent Ukraine Donor Contact Group last week in Ramstein via Kabul, Kyiv, Kosovo, Khartoum and the Southern Red Sea. It’s been an incredibly busy four and a half years.
“But the work isn’t done. Ukraine needs our support now as much as ever. Perhaps even more so. Their’s is a fight for the future of Euro-Atlantic security and so we must continue to lead the world in the breadth & bravery of our support.
“My sincerest thanks to all who serve so brilliantly in our nation’s armed forces & to the families that stand behind them. We’re asking a lot of them at the moment - rightly so, the geo-political situation demands it - and we should never forget their sacrifice.”
