Housing and construction ministers Stuart Andrew and Lee Rowley are amongst the growing list of government resignations from Boris Johnson’s precarious cabinet
The resignations come prior to Johnson’s sacking of Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and communities, Michael Gove, yesterday evening ‘for disloyalty’, after reports that he told Johnson to quit earlier in the day.
Stuart Andrew was appointed as housing minister in February 2022, whilst Lee Rowley was appointed as construction minister since last September.
With great regret and sadness, I resigned as Minister for Industry this morning. pic.twitter.com/PYXiLQheQt
— Lee Rowley (@Lee4NED) July 6, 2022
In his letter to Boris Johnson, Andrew stated that his loyalty to Johnson and the conservative party had ‘overridden his judgement’ and there has to come ‘a time when you have to look at your own personal integrity’.
Over 40 ministers have resigned
The resignations follow cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak and Sajid David, alongside 40 additional ministers and parliamentary aides, over Johnson’s handling of sexual misconduct claims against former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.
It has been confirmed today (7 July 2022) that Boris Johnson is set to resign as the conservative party leader, but will remain Prime Minister until Autumn.
Industry comment
Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation, commented: “The political climate of the last few weeks has damaged the UK’s international reputation and attractiveness to the global investment which will be essential to the revitalisation of our towns and cities.
“At home millions of people are facing huge pressures on their family budgets and the economy is stalled and teetering on the brink of recession. The next few weeks must bring a clear vision and decisive political leadership to tackle these challenges and to create the partnership between public and private sectors that can drive forward the critical agendas of delivering more homes and the decarbonisation of the built environment.”
