Washington - Ben Wallace, the defense secretary, has revealed his decision not to run in the upcoming general election and has ruled out leaving his position prematurely, thereby avoiding triggering a by-election. Having served as defense secretary under three prime ministers, he has been prominently involved in the UK's response to the Ukraine war.

Sources suggest that the next cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place in September, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak reportedly planning to make significant changes to his top team, although no official date has been confirmed.

Wallace explained that he is stepping away from frontline politics due to the toll it has taken on his family, and his departure is not a reflection on Rishi Sunak's leadership. Additionally, his Wyre and Preston North constituency is set to vanish in the next election due to boundary changes, and he has no intention of seeking a new one.

Confirmation of his plans to leave the government comes after days of speculation, leaving a considerable vacancy in the government that Rishi Sunak will need to fill. His decision is seen as a blow for the Conservative party, as he has always been popular among Tory party members.

Moreover, in a recent Nato summit in Vilnius, Prime Minister Boris Johnson disowned Wallace's comments suggesting that Ukraine should express more "gratitude" for the military support it has received. On Twitter, Wallace clarified that his remarks were somewhat misrepresented and were primarily about citizens and members of parliaments in different countries.

Mr. Wallace has informed the prime minister of his decision to step down from the cabinet on 16 June. He has been in politics for 24 years and has spent over seven years with three phones by his bedside. Despite stepping down, he stated that he would continue advocating for higher defense spending, a cause he has championed during his tenure.

Notably, Mr. Wallace was no longer in the running to become the next secretary general of Nato, as the role has been secured by Jens Stoltenberg, effectively ending his hopes of taking on that position in the military bloc.