Who are the runners and riders to replace Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary?

Ben Wallace has announced he intends to step down as Defence Secretary at the next reshuffle, prompting a race among Conservative MPs to replace him.

Mr Wallace, who survived three prime ministers in his role, is the Tories' longest-serving Defence Secretary.

He has played a pivotal role in the UK's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a legacy that his incoming replacement will undoubtedly be eager to uphold.

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Here are some of the potential contenders to take on Mr Wallace's role.

Penny Mordaunt

Currently the leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt was defence secretary for three months before Ben Wallace was given the job.

She served in the Royal Naval Reserve for nine years and worked in the Ministry of Defence as Armed Forces minister under David Cameron.

Earlier this year Ms Mordaunt had a prominent role in King Charles III’s coronation ceremony, carrying the Sword of State in the main procession. 

She also ranks highly in polls of Conservative party members.

Tom Tugendhat

Mr Tugendhat is a security minister and former Foreign Affairs Committee chairman with plenty of military experience under his belt.  

He served in the Territorial Army, being mobilised for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as a military assistant to the then chief of the defence staff, the professional head of the British Army.

In 2005, he established the National Security Council in Afghanistan on behalf of the Foreign Office.

Mr Tugendhat received an MBE for his service as an Arabic-speaking intelligence officer, twice being attached to the Royal Marines.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan 

Another name in the frame is Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a former Armed Forces minister who put herself forward two days after Mr Wallace said he intended to step down.

She said it would be a privilege to serve.

The Berwick-upon-Tweed MP also worked as defence procurement minister in Boris Johnson’s government.

Ms Trevelyan has taken part in the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which offers MPs and peers insight into the UK's Armed Forces. 

She currently works in the Foreign Office as the Minister for the Indo-Pacific region and also campaigns for veterans' mental health services. 

Sir Brandon Lewis 

Former justice and Northern Ireland secretary Sir Brandon Lewis is another potential candidate for the role.

Last month the Great Yarmouth MP was given a knighthood for his public and political service.

Sir Brandon was Lord Chancellor and secretary of state for justice between 6 September 2022 and 25 October 2022. 

James Heappey

The role of Defence Secretary could potentially signify a promotion for James Heappey, who is Ben Wallace’s deputy at the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Heappey reached the rank of major while serving in the British Army.

Along with Mr Tugendhat, the Armed Forces Minister has a plethora of military experience, having served in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

He’s been in his current role since February 2020.

John Glen

Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen has been widely tipped as a front-runner.

He has an MA in International Security and Strategy, and served on the Commons Defence Select Committee for two years.

Mr Glen has been the MP for Salisbury since 2010 and recently visited Salisbury Plain to see Ukrainian troops being trained by the British Armed Forces. 

Should military experience give candidates an advantage over others?

Mr Wallace, who has been Defence Secretary for the past four years, was a potential candidate for Nato Secretary General and is a former soldier.

After passing out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Mr Wallace was commissioned as an officer in the Scots Guards.

During the 1990s he saw service in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and Central America.

However, Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer does not believe prior military service is an essential qualification for the role.

"I think you can have excellent secretaries of state and ministers also who haven't actually served and bring a fresh set of eyes to it. So I don't think that's a pre-requirement," he said.

Coming from a military family, Mr Mercer joined the Army where he saw multiple combat operations and served in roles ranging from tactical to strategic.

"The military changes very, very quickly, so I don't refer back to my time in the military and draw too many lessons from that," he explained.

While Mr Mercer acknowledged military experience could be "helpful", he said he did not deem it necessary.

The cabinet reshuffle is scheduled for September following Parliament's summer recess, with the aim of appointing a new defence secretary before the party conference season begins.