Net Zero minister Graham Stuart resigns: Another Tory MP resigns from cabinet a month after James Heappey said he was stepping down

Rishi Sunak has been hit with another Cabinet resignation after the Energy and Net Zero minister Graham Stuart quit today.

The MP for Beverley and Holderness, 62, told the Prime Minister it had been an ‘enormous privilege to serve as a minister’ and assured Sunak he would continue to give him his ‘full support’.

It came a month after defence minister James Heappey also resigned – with a Tory exodus gathering pace.

A total of 62 Conservative MPs have said they will be stepping down at the next election.

Mr Stuart has served the Government for eight years and plans to continue as a backbencher and focus on local issues.

Graham Stuart. 62, (pictured) told the Prime Minister it had been an ‘enormous privilege to serve as a minister’ and assured Sunak he would continue to give him his ‘full support’

The Energy and Net Zero minister has served the Government for eight years and plans to continue as a backbencher and focus on local issues

He said: ‘I’m proud of all we have achieved as a government, not least being the first major economy to halve CO2 emissions’

He confirmed he would be standing for his seat again at the upcoming General Election.

The MP intends to turn his focus to issues such as making roads safer, broadband delivery and increasing the number of defibrillators in his constituency of Beverley and Holderness.

Mr Stuart 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.

He said: ‘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.

‘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.

James Heappey reportedly informed his constituency association in Wells that he will not stand again at the election

He was the 62nd Tory MP to announce he is stepping down, including ex-PM Theresa May and former Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis

Rishi Sunak has been struggling to stabilise his premiership after the Budget failed to shift the political dial, and the party was engulfed in a race row over donor Frank Hester

Mr Sunak finally moved to rule out fevered speculation about an election at the start of May, with the Labour lead over 20 points in many polls

‘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.’

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.

It came a months after Rishi Sunak’s woes deepened as defence minister James Heappey quit amid a bitter row over funding.

The PM has been struggling to stabilise his premiership after the Budget failed to shift the political dial, and the party was engulfed in a race row over donor Frank Hester.

James Heappey informed his constituency association in Wells that he will not stand again when the ballot is held, saying he wants to ‘prioritise family’ and ‘pursue a different career’.

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