Grant Shapps has assumed the role of defence secretary following the formal resignation of Ben Wallace. Last month, Wallace had announced his intention to step down

from his position in the senior Cabinet during the upcoming reshuffle, marking the conclusion of his four-year tenure.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Wallace conveyed, "The Ministry of Defence is on the trajectory to regain its world-class status, thanks to the exceptional people within it. The United Kingdom's armed forces command global respect, a sentiment that has only amplified since the conflict in Ukraine."

He continued, "I am confident that you share my conviction that we must not revert to an era where defence was considered discretionary expenditure and cost-saving measures compromised our capabilities."

Having garnered popularity among Tory members, Wallace was once regarded as a prospective contender for leadership. However, he ruled out his candidacy for the Conservative leadership last year despite initially emerging as a frontrunner in the race to succeed Boris Johnson.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Wallace's contributions as defence secretary and expressed his endorsement for Shapps as the successor. Johnson's Twitter post stated, "Sad to witness the departure of my colleague Ben Wallace. An accomplished Defence Secretary who demonstrated sound judgment on numerous occasions, particularly during the Ukrainian crisis. Grant Shapps is a superb choice to take up the mantle."

In assuming the position, Shapps becomes the first Jewish defence secretary in nearly three decades, following in the footsteps of Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a Scottish MP with Lithuanian ancestry dating back to the 1890s.

Responding to his appointment, Shapps expressed his "honour" at becoming defence secretary and commended Wallace's tenure. He tweeted, "I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Defence Secretary by @RishiSunak. My sincere appreciation for the significant contributions made by Ben Wallace to UK defence and global security over the past four years."

Shapps further stated, "As I embark on my responsibilities at @DefenceHQ, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the courageous men and women of our Armed Forces, who safeguard our nation's security. I am also committed to sustaining the UK's support for Ukraine in its stance against Putin's ruthless invasion."

Shapps, a former BBYO president, affirmed his Jewish identity in a 2010 interview with the JC, stating, "I identify as entirely Jewish. My dietary choices exclude pork, we exclusively purchase kosher meat, and we adhere to the separation of meat and dairy. Embracing Judaism is a lifestyle choice; I married a Jewish woman. This way of life instills valuable principles in your children." Photo by UK Government, Wikimedia commons.