Sunak hands election to Starmer as MPs ask: does ‘Spreadsheet Shapps’ know the difference between a fighter jet and a tank?
Retreating Rishi Sunak has appointed loyalist Grant Shapps as Defence Secretary, signalling that Number 10 is hunkering down ahead of the next election. But, just hours after the decision, it appears to have sown more division than it has solved.
When Ben Wallace confirmed his resignation this morning, MPs across the party were already divided over who they wanted to replace the outgoing defence chief. And a water tight No 10 managed to keep the headlines to mere speculation at best.
But that didn't stop defence sources from coming out behind their chosen candidates, and casting major shadows over Rishi's defence secretary of choice.
The former Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is notable for his lack of experience in the defence department. Aside from half a day's experience as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ukraine - before he moved over to become Liz Truss's Home Secretary - Mr Shapps' CV is limited. But what he does have is a long record of support for the Prime Minister.
Mr Shapps was appointed earlier today
PA
In the eyes of both backbench MPs and defence sources, Mr Sunak's decision was informed by this alone.
One defence insider told GB News that the decision shows Mr Sunak is "now in complete bunker mode" ahead of the General Election, expected to take place next year.
After a turbulent term - despite promises to restore order and stability to the Tory Party - Mr Sunak is desperate to paint a healthy picture of unity before he is forced to go to the polls.
But by appointing someone with no defence experience, Sunak may have trashed one of the party's key points of success in office - the UK's record in Ukraine.
Backbench MPs are said to be furious about the decision to appoint "spreadsheet Shapps" to such an integral department.
One insider quipped: "He has absolutely no experience in the role, and given there is now a war underway right on the border with NATO it would be beyond bonkers to give it to him - I’m not sure he would even know the difference between a tank and a fighter jet!"
They warned that the appointment will "really antagonise the right of the party", noting his "not so subtle role in trying to destabilise previous governments, particularly that of Liz [Truss]".
Ben Wallace had a stellar reputation in the MoD and across the world as a result of his contribution to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Before he stepped down, Mr Wallace nodded to James Heappey - armed forcesminister - as his preferred successor.
Had Sunak's main priority been to shore up the UK's defense position, he would have opted for him. But his choice to go with Shapps shows that the nervous Prime Minister is far more interested in attempting to shore up his own standing ahead of the looming election.
But given the growing noise among fuming Tory backbenchers, it looks like this decision is already begining to backfire.
One senior backbencher branded Mr Shapps a "bargain basement huckster", accusing him of "kissing up" to Mr Sunak.
The MP said that appointing him is a "no decision decision", something that will only play into criticisms of Rishi Sunak as being a weak PM.
They continued: "This tells you that Downing st is nervous of Rishi’s position. It means Downing Street re-takes power over Defence from independent Ben.
"Not a good decision for the MoD but a real indication of how Downing Street is centring more and more control over the Government, frightened of creating alternative power bases. Not a strong decision."
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Ben Wallace confirmed his resignation this morning
PA
With backbench resignations piling up, nervous and angry MPs are already dropping like flies ahead of the next election.
Sunak will have to work hard to abate their concerns when they return to parliament on Monday - rejuvinated and ready to rebel after a long summer.