Heappey's Departure
Armed forces minister James Heappey has announced that he will be leaving his government post and standing down at the next election, citing family reasons and a desire to pursue a different career in a letter to constituents.
Defence Spending Controversy
A row over defence spending has deepened as Heappey's departure comes amidst criticism that no extra cash for defence was announced in the Budget. Tory MP, Jeremy Hunt, stated that defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of national income "as soon as economic conditions allow," but did not provide specifics on how or when this increase would occur.
Backlash and Calls for More Funding
The lack of investment in defence has sparked backlash within the party and military ranks, with demands for an immediate cash boost. Heappey, a strong advocate for increased funding for troops, had previously threatened to quit over defence spending shortly after Hunt became Chancellor under Liz Truss.
No Connection to Defence Spending
While Downing Street confirmed that Heappey remains in his ministerial post for now, they denied any connection between his departure and defence spending. The Prime Minister's spokesman stated that there is no suggestion that Heappey's decision is linked to defence spending.
MP Turnover
More than 60 Conservatives have indicated that they do not plan to run in the next election, leading to a significant turnover of MPs in the Commons. Currently, 98 MPs have publicly announced that they will either be standing down or not contesting their current seat.
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