Schooling Minister Robert Halfon has resigned from authorities, confirming he would be the 63rd Conservative MP to face down on the subsequent election.
The MP for Harlow, who has been in parliament since 2010, stated “political life, whereas fulfilling, has its ups and downs”, and he felt it was “time for me to step down”.
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Quoting the wizard Gandalf from Lord of the Rings in his resignation letter to the prime minister, and having been a Tory candidate for nearly 25 years, he stated: “My time is over: it’s not my activity to set issues to rights, nor to assist people to take action.
“And as for you, my pricey mates, you will want no assist… among the many nice you might be, and I’ve not any concern in any respect for any of you.”
Rishi Sunak responded by saying he was “very sorry to listen to” of his resolution, however added: “I respect your causes for doing so.”
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The announcement from Mr Halfon – who has additionally served as deputy chairman of the Conservative Celebration and chair of the schooling choose committee – got here on the identical day Armed Forces minister James Heappey formally left his publish in authorities.
Earlier this month, a supply near the MP for the Wells constituency in Somerset stated he had determined to go away parliament due to private causes, and his ministerial resignation was anticipated to coincide with Easter recess.
However the timing was important as there had been rising disquiet amongst Conservative MPs and navy insiders at a failure by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to announce new funding for the armed forces in his spring finances.
Nonetheless, the supply stated stated whereas “after all he thinks there needs to be more cash”, it was not why Mr Heappey was resigning.
Confirming his departure on X, Mr Heappy stated he “beloved each minute” of his job, however added: “The work is not finished.
“Ukraine wants our assist now as a lot as ever. Maybe much more so. Theirs is a combat for the way forward for Euro-Atlantic safety and so we should proceed to steer the world within the breadth [and] bravery of our assist.”
In a letter to the now former minister, Mr Sunak thanked him for his “excellent service and contribution to our get together, parliament and nation”.
Quantity 10 has but to substantiate who will change the 2 ministers.
