Worcester MP resigns as Schools Minister and claims Government 'overshadowed by mistakes and questions about integrity' - The Worcester Observer

Worcester MP resigns as Schools Minister and claims Government 'overshadowed by mistakes and questions about integrity'

Worcester Editorial 6th Jul, 2022 Updated: 6th Jul, 2022   0

WORCESTER MP Robin Walker has become the latest member of embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Government to resign after standing down as Schools Minister.

Mr Walker revealed his decision in a letter to the Prime Minister in which he claimed the achievements of Boris Johnson’s Government have ‘become overshadowed by mistakes and questions about integrity’.

He becomes the latest member of the education department to stand down with Children and Families Minister Will Quince resigning this morning and former Education Secretary and Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi leaving to take up the post of Chancellor last night (Tuesday).

In his letter, Mr Walker said ‘recent events’ had made it clear the party had become distracted from its core missions by a ‘relentless focus on questions over leadership’.




“The loss of Rishi Sunak amd Sajid Javid this week, two of our brightest talents from the top team, reflects a worrying narrowing of the broad church that I believe any Conservative Government should seek to achieve,” he said.

While he praised Mr Johnson for delivering Brexit with a deal, supporting our ‘precious union’ and the ‘monumental effort’ to support the lives and livelihoods of so many through the pandemic, he claimed such achievements had become overshadowed by ‘mistakes and questions about integrity’.


“I have always believed it is the job of our party to strike the right balance between efficiency and compassion, but the image being projected from the struggles of the last few months is that we risk achieving neither,” he said.

“You won the confidence of your colleagues just a few weeks ago but the events and revelations since have undermined this.

“I have publicly supported you as leader of our party and Prime Minister but I am afraid I feel I can do so no longer.

“Although I cannot think of a better or more rewarding job than the one I have been doing, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve in your Government.”

The MP pledged to continue to support the party from the back benches and wished new Education Secretary Michelle Donelan and Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi well in their new roles.

“It has been a privilege to work with them both, as well as with so many dedicated officials, brilliant teachers and leaders in our schools,” he added.

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