Shapps was demoralized by Labour’s Andrew Lewin in the Welwyn Hatfield constituency in southern England
LONDON:
British defense minister Grant Shapps defeated his seat at Thursday’s parliamentary election, becoming the most senior Conservative cabinet member so far to be lost in what is marked to be a crystal clear overall triumph for the Labour Party.
Shapps lost his seat to Labour’s Andrew Lewin in the Welwyn Hatfield constituency in southern England he had placed for nearly twenty years. Lewin conquered 19,877 votes as compared to Shapps’ 16,078.
Shapps, a sincere fan of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, had placed other cabinet positions, including departments of energy, housing, and transport, and a six-day stint as interior minister under former leader Liz Truss.
The 55-year-old former businessman was considered to be one of the best Conservative media communicators, frequently employed in the aftermath of issues or to protect the administration at reluctant times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He had been loyal in his support for Ukraine since he was chosen to alter Ben Wallace as defense minister nearly two years ago, traveling to wartime Kyiv just a month after his hiring.
Published in The Tribune News