Energy Minister Graham Stuart quits as Rishi Sunak suffers Tory exodus ahead of election

Graham Stuart said he is leaving his ministerial role to focus on local issues

Another Tory Minister has quit their Government role as Rishi Sunak suffers a growing exodus ahead of the general election.

Energy Minister Graham Stuart announced he is standing down from his Cabinet role after eight years serving on the frontbench. He said he will “fully support” the Prime Minister from the backbenches.

It follows two ministers quitting their Government roles just a fortnight ago. Well-respected Skills Minister Robert Halfon unexpectedly resigned while Armed Forces Minister James Heappey confirmed he was stepping down from the Ministry of Defence. More than 60 Tory MPs have announced they are standing down at the next election, with polls showing the party faces electoral wipeout.

In addition to his role as Energy and Net Zero minister, Mr Stuart also served in the Foreign Office, the Department for International Trade and as an assistant whip to the Treasury. The Climate Minister was recently criticised after making a round trip of 6,824 miles to fly back from the COP28 conference in Dubai to vote on the Government’s Rwanda bill.

Rishi Sunak described him as a “dedicated minister” who had led the way to securing greener energy for Britain.

Mr Stuart will be replaced by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, who served as Minister for Disabled People under Boris Johnson. In a mini-reshuffle, junior DWP Minister Mims Davies is promoted to be Minister of State for Disabled People. Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell has been given the title of Deputy Foreign Secretary, as he steps in for Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in the Commons.

Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “The drumbeat of Conservative resignations is becoming deafening. Ministers are finding any excuse they can to get away from this deeply unpopular Conservative government.

“Even Rishi Sunak’s ministers know that time is up on this tired and out of touch government. The writing is on the wall for Rishi Sunak, and the sooner he calls a general election the better. The country, and his own MPs, know the clock is ticking.”

Mr Stuart said he is leaving his ministerial role to focus on local issues such as making roads safer, broadband delivery and increasing the number of defibrillators in his constituency of Beverley and Holderness in the Yorkshire and The Humber region. He said he also hopes to focus on improving access to dentistry and healthcare, working with farmers on flooding, and championing his Make Our Roads Safer campaign.

“I’m proud to have served in the Government for most of the past eight years, but now it’s time to focus on Beverley and Holderness,” he said. “I’m proud to have achieved much over the past 18 years, from rock armour at Withernsea to saving East Riding Community Hospital, installing life-saving defibrillators in rural communities and slashing fares on the Humber Bridge.

“I’m looking forward to working with communities to make our roads safer, helping the council take full advantage of the opportunities brought by devolution, pressing the case for York to Hull Rail and improving healthcare in Beverley and Holderness.”