Ben Wallace – 2022 Statement Confirming Not Standing as Prime Minister

The statement made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 21 October 2022.

As the Party starts the process of looking for a new leader, I would like to put on the record that I will not be letting my name go forward as a candidate. I am privileged to be the UK Defence Secretary and the current threat requires stability in that office.

The reasons I gave last time for not standing, have not changed. I will be looking to all candidates to recognise that you cannot have economic security at home without national security. This requires real investment for our Armed Forces and intelligence agencies.