Armed forces minister James Heappey to stand down at general election and leave government post

Armed forces minister James Heappey has announced he will leave his government post and stand down at the next election.

The MP for the Wells constituency in Somerset decided to leave parliament because of personal reasons, a source close to him told Sky News.

He will continue with his ministerial position until Rishi Sunak wishes him to step back, “likely during the Easter recess”, they added.

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In a letter to his local Conservative association, posted by Mr Heappey on X, he said: “After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming General Election.

“A great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career.”

He added that he will continue to support Mr Sunak in his ministerial position “until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches”.

The announcement comes amid growing disquiet among Conservative MPs and military insiders at a failure by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to announce new funding for the armed forces in his spring budget.

However, a source close to Mr Heappey said while “of course he thinks there should be more money – it’s not why he’s resigning”.

The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting.

Mr Heappey served in the Army, reaching the rank of major, according to a profile on his website.

During a 10-year career in the Rifles, he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Kenya.

He had been hotly tipped to succeed Ben Wallace as defence secretary following his resignation last year.

Mr Sunak instead gave the cabinet post to Grant Shapps, who has not had military experience.

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Mr Heappey adds his name to a growing list of Tory MPs to announce they are to leave parliament at the next election, with former prime minister Theresa May and former party chairman Sir Brandon Lewis some of the most recent additions.

Mr Sunak on Thursday ruled out holding an election on 2 May to coincide with local elections, having previously indicated he will send the country to the polls in the latter half of 2024.

It follows a difficult week which saw his party, already 20 points behind in the polls, embroiled in a race row over comments made by Tory donor Frank Hester and Lee Anderson defect to the Reform party.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Richard Foord said Mr Heappey’s resignation is “yet another blow to Rishi Sunak’s authority, as another Conservative minister abandons his failing government”.

He added: “Sunak needs to put the country out of its misery and call an election now instead of allowing this farce to drag on any longer.

“It is clear that in Wells and Mendip Hills and seats across the West Country, only the Liberal Democrats can defeat the Conservatives and bring an end to this awful government.”