Tom Tugendhat is the former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and has a background in the Territorial Army. Photo: JULIAN SIMMONDS
Tom Tugendhat is being asked to become secretary of defense in the next reshuffle as the Allies say he will be the “natural successor” to Ben Wallace.
Tugendhat, 50, is being discussed by Conservative MPs as a possible replacement after Mr. Wallace. Wallace announced that he plans to retire.
The Tonbridge and Mulling MP has never served in the Cabinet and currently serves under Swella Braverman in the Home Office as Minister of Security.
He is the former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a prominent China skeptic who lobbied in government tightening measures against Beijing.
Although Tugendhat voted to stay in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, he has been vocal about ending illegal migration and pledged support for a “broad coalition” of conservative MPs in his bid for leadership in 2022.
Mr. Wallace announced his intention to retire at the next reshuffle and step down as MP at the next election, telling The Sunday Times that he would like to “finish this job and get back to normal.”
He hoped to withdraw from British politics and become the next head of NATO, but found that his proposal was blocked by the White House, despite the support of Rishi Sunak.
“Why don't you support your closest ally? when do they nominate a candidate?” he said of Joe Biden, adding: “I think that's a fair question.”
The newspaper reported that he told Mr. Sunak he intended to resign on June 16 but hoped to keep the news in secret until this summer, when a reshuffle is expected.
Candidates in the frame
Other candidates to replace Wallace are expected to include Penny Mordaunt, who has already held the post, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who serves as foreign secretary for the Indo-Pacific region.
Ms Mordaunt has the support of some senior military officials figures, as well as good poll results among members of the Conservative Party after two attempts to become leader of the party last summer.
Sir Brandon Lewis, the former Attorney General, was asked to consider returning to the Cabinet with the Secretary of Defense among the portfolios he may accept.
Wallace is believed to favor James Hippie, his deputy at the Department of Defense, while some government sources believe John Glen, the chief secretary of the treasury, may go to the role.
Mr Tugendhat has the backing of some Conservative MPs who admire his stance on China and point to his experience in the Territorial Army and as military assistant to the Chief of Defense Staff before running for parliament.
One senior Conservative MP said: “Serious times call for serious leadership, someone who understands the intricacies of warfare, the geopolitics of great competition between nations – Tom would be Ben's natural successor.”
Former Conservative Cabinet Minister said: “He has combat experience, which I consider necessary given the current conflict in Ukraine. I think he would be very good.”
Outspoken critic
Mr. Tugendhat has been outspoken in his criticism of Russia and Iran, calling for the immediate expulsion of Russian ambassadors and intelligence officials following the invasion of Ukraine, and defending Western journalists from attacks by Iran.
Mr. Wallace has been the longest – Conservative defense minister in history, and many thought he could not be fired under Sunak because of his work on the war in Ukraine.
But it is believed that he announced his intention to leave the cabinet after rumors about his the exit began to spread, with some speculating that he would be forced out of the job by number ten.
Sources close to him have long denied that he had any intention of leaving the role, and he may have waited until the end. last week's NATO annual conference in Lithuania before deciding to break the news.
At the summit, he sparked controversy by suggesting that Ukraine show more “thanks” for military support from its Western allies and comparing the Ukrainian government's approach to NATO stockpiles of weapons to an Amazon buyer.
Mr Tugendhat declined to comment on rumors of a reshuffle.
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