In politics, where there’s death, there’s life. And as Liz Truss’s premiership crumbles before our eyes, all attention in SW1 is which lucky legislator gets to replace her. Second time Sunak? The people’s Penny? Back again Boris? Or perhaps the man who many wanted to run this summer but ended up dropping out: Ben Wallace, the popular Defence Secretary.
The former Scots Guards officer has been a long-standing fixture at the top of the ConservativeHome Cabinet rankings but opted to back Liz Truss in July rather than run himself. Instead, he extracted a pledge from the Trussette to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030 – a pledge that appears to be in danger after Jeremy Hunt’s media round this morning.
Now, with Truss’s unhappy interregnum drawing towards its close, could the Flasheart of the Forces mount a bid himself? For the Mail on Sunday – the voice of Middle England – reports that friends of Wallace are saying he is ‘rethinking’ his objections to running for leader. One chatty chum of Wallace tells the paper:
Ben is concerned that the economic problems mean that the Prime Minister could U-turn over her pledge to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030. He is very concerned that we could be on the brink of a global war, and wants to make sure that we are well-protected as a country.
The ally pitches Wallace as that rarity in British politics: a unity candidate who can bring the hopelessly divided Tories together in a way others can’t. Mr S is a fan of Wallace’s talents, but can’t help but wonder what has shifted so suddenly in his fortunes now. Is the Defence Secretary actually making a run? Or is it more about maneuvering to keep that 3 per cent commitment alive and well?
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