Graham Stuart has this afternoon quit the government, saying he wishes to focus on local issues after service in various ministerial posts. The Yorkshire MP has spent seven of the last eight years in office, including as energy minister since September 2022. But in a letter today to Rishi Sunak, he says that ‘I have decided that now is the time to step down’ from government. There had previously been reports that Stuart was unhappy with Sunak’s net zero speech reset and had even threatened to quit over the scrapping of the so-called ‘boiler tax.’

Stuart though is making clear that his resignation is about spending more time in his constituency in what a difficult election year for the Tories. He writes that ‘I intend to continue serving my constituents in Beverley and Holderness, campaigning on local issues and look forward to fighting and winning the seat later this year.’ Stuart retained his seat by more than 20,000 at the last election, but the recent YouGov poll has Labour narrowly taking it.

His decision to resign today shows the challenge that Downing Street faces in trying to keep talented ministers on until an election which the Tories look likely to lose heavily. Some have quit early or announced they’re standing down, conscious that former ministers need official clearance before they can accept any new jobs within two years of leaving. Others, like Stuart, want to stay on in the Commons but need to spend as much time as possible in their constituencies far away from London.

The departure of the energy minister leaves Sunak and the Whips’ Office with another hole to fill, just two weeks after James Heappey and Robert Halfon announced they were going too.

QOSHE - Rishi Sunak loses another minister - James Heale
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Rishi Sunak loses another minister

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12.04.2024

Graham Stuart has this afternoon quit the government, saying he wishes to focus on local issues after service in various ministerial posts. The Yorkshire MP has spent seven of the last eight years in office, including as energy minister since September 2022. But in a letter today to Rishi Sunak, he says that ‘I have decided that now is the time to step down’ from government. There had previously been reports that........

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