Two Conservative ministers, Robert Halfon and James Heappey, have resigned, adding to the growing list of Tory MPs stepping down ahead of the general election. Halfon, the Education Minister, and Heappey, the Armed Forces Minister, have decided to quit, prompting a mini-reshuffle in Rishi Sunak's government. The resignations reflect a trend of Tory MPs leaving, with concerns about the party's electoral prospects and government turmoil.
‘The best strategy for the Prime Minister would be to name the date now.’ Political commentator Andy Williams says if Rishi Sunak isn’t careful, he might end up being ‘bounced’ into a summer election. https://t.co/kheXhguWi2
More UK Conservative Members of Parliament are standing down ahead of the looming general election than at any national vote since the party plunged to a landslide defeat in 1997 https://t.co/P0neOomlUn
Rishi Sunak urged to hold summer election as aides fear he 'cannot hold on until autumn' amid Tory rebel plot https://t.co/bmVKlIDIAh
MAIL: Could Rishi gamble on a summer election? #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/djercA1Hl5
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak's allies believe defeat is now inevitable as they begin to focus on minimising the damage and protecting his legacy [@itvnews]
"Did you get it right when you decided not to vote for the Rwanda legislation?" - @SophyRidgeSky "I have always said Rwanda will be an effective deterrent", @GullisJonathan responds. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/2J2YQpEjuO
Robert Halfon on resigning as MP for Harlow. https://t.co/5ArWQm5uRI https://t.co/5V5AVZKcOc
"You abstained in the Rwanda vote didn't you?" - @SophyRidgeSky questions Conservative Party deputy chairman @GullisJonathan. "With that particular bill there were a couple of amendments I wanted to see be adopted", he says. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/xskXwH7f4Z
Watch #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky as she’s joined by new deputy chair of the Conservative Party @GullisJonathan https://t.co/xItZsH7tea https://t.co/913M3u1AqU
Is a summer election becoming more likely? Sources have always insisted to me that those around the PM wanted to go for a November election, but they are now talking about what happens if the PM faces a confidence vote after May elections… 1/ https://t.co/1NKv27qbdn
Robert Halfon: 'Being Harlow MP has been my greatest honour' https://t.co/GE0t7tOIO9
📢 Coming up on #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky… 🔴 Conservative MP @GullisJonathan 🔴 Campaigner @Kwajotweneboa 🔴 Lord @edvaizey 🔴 Former chief strategist to Jeremy Corbyn @schneiderhome ⏰ 7pm 📱 https://t.co/xkAlVP3z6f 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YT https://t.co/3Rj8tT3dnO
“The Prime Minister’s plan to send his MPs off on holiday with an upbeat message about the economy was scuppered by two ministerial resignations. Robert Halfon and James Heappey both called it quits.” 📫 Today’s Morning Call with @freddiejh8 https://t.co/GhkRBHoe1A
“...to the subsequent reshuffle. Leo Docherty will become armed forces minister and Luke Hall, education minister. Nusrat Ghani receives a promotion to the Foreign Office.” 📫 Today’s Morning Call with @freddiejh8 https://t.co/uRHRl4CXZe
Two Government ministers have resigned in a double blow to Rishi Sunak, who was forced to carry out a mini-reshuffle of his team. Kevin O’Sullivan: “It’s pathetic and tragic. Rishi's fighting such a losing battle. I’ve got no sympathy, it’s his fault!” @TVKev | @ThatAlexWoman https://t.co/5blbVO2t7K
Two ministers have resigned – and more Tory MPs will follow. 📫 Today’s Morning Call with @freddiejh8 https://t.co/cJdcs4exsy
An honour to be asked by @RishiSunak to become a Minister at the @educationgovuk. A privilege to follow on from @Halfon4HarlowMP, and I'm looking forward to working with @GillianKeegan to build on his brilliant legacy. https://t.co/FOmAzcEbKR
Fleeing a Sinking Ship: Another Setback for Sunak as Two Gov’t Ministers Resign https://t.co/NqHnfNxd7n
"If folk like Mr Halfon and Mr Heappey are walking away, it tells a story" @ChrisMasonBBC examines why some Conservative MPs are stepping down https://t.co/0sUWFIi1EX
Rishi Sunak has been forced into a mini reshuffle as two Government ministers have resigned in a double blow to the PM. Jeremy Kyle: "I don't have any sympathy for Sunak because he wanted the job and did his best to crawl over people to get it. His time of reckoning is coming!" https://t.co/AsNtdAVOWI
‘More MPs are standing down in this election than in any election since 1997.’ GB News’ Olivia Utley says James Heappey and Robert Halfon’s resignations are most likely because they ‘don’t want to go down with the ship’ as the Conservative Party finds itself in turmoil. https://t.co/2mg7tESHvi
'Both of these together tell you that morale in the Conservative party isn't great at the moment' Chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman had this analysis on #BBCBreakfast after Robert Halfon and James Heappey quit as Government ministers https://t.co/kPclsK3xe0 https://t.co/ozImiUjsYa
Why tonight’s Tory resignations matter My @SkyNews @ 10 live https://t.co/KY25jlyhx8
"He knows something isn't going right and he is wondering why." Rishi Sunak has become "quite sympathetic" to a possible leadership change after losing two cabinet ministers in one day, Tim Montgomerie tells #TimesRadio @montie | @JPonPolitics https://t.co/a6JrcBnWDN
"Two very different MPs, two very different parts of the country, telling a very similar story about the declining electoral prospects of the Conservative Party." @SophyRidgeSky weighs in on the resignation of two ministers. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/Lq0ylxVjym
"It was by no means a necessity that he had to go". @SamCoatesSky talks about James Heappey and Robert Halfon resigning from the government. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/mynyFqLxo8
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak has announced their replacements -Leo Docherty has been appointed Armed Forces Minister -Luke Hall has become Education minister https://t.co/MOAsKLh4bo
Watch #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky, as two ministers join the exodus of Tory MPs ahead of the election forcing Rishi Sunak into a mini-reshuffle https://t.co/xItZsH7tea https://t.co/kAVnTGnjZe
Two junior ministers - including the Wells MP James Heappey - have quit government. https://t.co/qHAsMs0okD
🔵 HARLOW: Universities minister Robert Halfon announces he won't contest the next election. https://t.co/cTR83n3S2g
Rishi Sunak knocked by double hammer blow as two ministers resign - New ministers announced in mini-reshuffle https://t.co/J3Gm0cPS9s
Easter mini-reshuffle ... OUT Armed Forces minister James Heappey Higher Education minister Robert Halfon IN Nus Ghani MP to be a Minister of State (Minister for Europe) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Leo Docherty MP to be a Minister of State (Minister…
Delighted that one of our long-standing @Conservatives Deputy Chairmen, the fantastic @LukeHall has been recognised and promoted to become a Minister of State at @educationgovuk Thank you for your hard work Luke, we’ll miss you at CCHQ. You’ll be a fantastic minister https://t.co/VFzD3zjbOs
Here is a list of the 63 Conservative MPs who have announced they are either standing down from Parliament or not seeking re-election in their current constituency at the next general election, as of March 26 2024 ✍️: @ian_a_jones and @cjmckeon https://t.co/VwCHASrFwD
Gutted to see @halfon4harlowMP go. Campaigned tirelessly on petrol duty and backing the Sun’s Keep It Down campaign. Interviewed him one Election as he sat with all his placards next to the A414. A good man https://t.co/2nWWcOOJyI
Rishi Sunak has lost his second government minister in a day after Robert Halfon unexpectedly resigned as education minister ⬇️ https://t.co/aOnI9sDwtk
“Simpler to go now then suffer the humiliation of losing your seat!” Political journalist Michael Crick says junior education minister Robert Halfon will be a big loss for the Conservative party. @MichaelLCrick https://t.co/JDIfP5coaj
Two ministerial resignations, two more Conservative MPs standing down at the next election. What does it tell us about the state of the Conservative Party? We’ll be discussing on #PoliticsHub from 7pm With @david4wantage @CarolineFlint @NimkoAli https://t.co/l3bpj1wL3a
‘Another Tory MP saying, “thanks very much, I’m done”’. @TomSwarbrick1 reacts to Robert Halfon becoming the latest minister to resign. https://t.co/MYPXlHnQnr
📢 Coming up on #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky… 🔴 Conservative MP @david4wantage 🔴 Former government advisor @NimkoAli 🔴 Former Labour MP @CarolineFlint ⏰ 7pm 📱 https://t.co/ZsJh8HEea5 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
Two of the better Conservative Ministers have stood down today. Both widely respected. @JSHeappey is knowledgeable and passionate defender of our armed forces and would have made a fine Defence Sec and @halfon4harlowMP will be a big loss to the skills world as he stands down.
Almost 100 MPs stepping down at the upcoming election now https://t.co/OuXWDrJ8fX
Rats, sinking ship, etc. "Tory exodus as two ministers quit Rishi Sunak's Government ahead of election." https://t.co/TNbIA8lf0i
Oh dear. Another desertion as Two ministers announce resignations. Dont know Heapey, but Halfon is a decent man, old school, and remains loyal to Sunak. So odd to act in this way https://t.co/JACsc25Gd8
Robert Halfon is one of those MPs who genuinely made a difference in Parliament (from fuel duty to his passion for education) But Harlow is a seat that Labour see as very winnable. It’s no coincidence Keir Starmer chose to visit a Harlow school when I went on the road with him https://t.co/mBkKMIk7L1
James Heappey has resigned after more than 4 years as minister for the armed forces, making him one of the longest serving ministers of recent years https://t.co/MuB7H5H8Bl https://t.co/QYAIn2SG6Y
I have always found @halfon4harlowMP to be a thoroughly decent, generous and diligent MP and minister. It’s a shame he’s not standing again and I wish him well.
Like @JSHeappey, Rob has been an excellent minister and real public servant. A big loss to Parliament, as I hope will evidenced from cross-party reaction to this decision to step down. https://t.co/MdAnY2khag
NEW: Tory exodus continues as two ministers quit Rishi Sunak's Government ahead of general election https://t.co/tMOCpg9ncv
NEW: Another veteran Tory MP announces they're standing down at the next election - and quitting as a minister now. https://t.co/GGCOTehXtF
Another widely respected Conservative MP announces they're leaving Parliament. Halfon is the 63rd Tory MP to announce that they are stepping down at the election. https://t.co/FJZWAv9aNn
This is a big loss - Rob has championed working class conservatism and levelling up long before it was mainstream. He's made a huge contribution to vocational education and will be missed at DfE and in Parliament. https://t.co/TzkjGXKDn9
#BREAKING Robert Halfon will be standing down at the next General Election. He's the 63rd Tory to stand down. He's only 55. https://t.co/Rdedwh8XNr
A personal statement from the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Member of Parliament for Harlow and the villages and the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education. 👇 https://t.co/SIj1aYNhlm https://t.co/MGadHQWuLV
Reshuffle incoming - Armed forces minister James Heappey quits ahead of standing down as an MP. Will become a vocal champion of higher defence spending https://t.co/9hsjFlq0jO
Sounds like we could be in for a mini reshuffle, following James Heappey's resignation as armed forces minister...
Reshuffle incoming - Armed forces minister James Heappey quits ahead of standing down as an MP. Will become a vocal champion of higher defence spending https://t.co/9hsjFlq0jO
“The former chancellor tries to cast the policy as an inevitability... But other Tories baulk at the devastation that austerity wrought.” 📫 Today’s Morning Call with @freddiejh8 https://t.co/FUX4AAzDV9
'Since the last election we've had 5 chancellors, 4 foreign secretaries, 3 prime ministers, 2 defence secretaries, but only 1 armed forces minister' Shadow Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP describes outgoing Wells MP @JSHeappey as a 'rare constant in the turmoil of government'… https://t.co/DK7E0e1jmW
“Some Tory MPs grimace when you mention austerity.” 📫 Today’s Morning Call with @freddiejh8 https://t.co/ccnWrJAJhF