Next Defence Secretary: runners and riders

Parliament is back next week and with that comes the resumption of the age old game of ‘Who’s up, who’s down?’ One name we know who is heading for the exit is Ben Wallace, who has handed his resignation before he can enjoy a last victory lap at the party conference. The Ministry of Defence has long been regarded as a plum position for Tory ministers, so it’s no surprise that there’s no shortage of contenders for the role. One government insider is quoted as saying in this week’s Spectator that they want a candidate who is ‘efficient, non-flashy, loyal, decent.’ That rules out Penny Mordaunt then. Mr S runs his eye over the likely runners and riders below…

Jeremy Quin – A dark horse but an appointment that would make sense. Has spent five years working his way up the greasy pole, including a two-and-a-half year stint at the MoD overseeing procurement there.