Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is among the cohort of Tory ministers resigning from their positions.
Churchill has been Minister for Agri-Innovation and Climate Adaptation at Defra since September 2021.
Taking to Twitter earlier today (Wednesday, July 6), she announced, with a “heavy heart”, that she has tendered her resignation to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Churchill included a copy of her resignation letter, which says:
“It has been an enormous privilege to have been asked to serve my country as a Minister.
“I was honoured to be Health minister during the pandemic and to work collectively with others to deliver care to the vulnerable and drive solutions to the challenges.
“Then as Defra minister, seeking solutions to climate adaptation and food security has been a similar honour. I strongly believe our farmers, producers and researchers can deliver us the answers.
“Recent events have shown integrity, competence, and judgement are alll essential to the role of Prime Minister, while a jocular self-serving approach is bound to have its limitations.
“Our beloved country is facing an uncertain future and strong headwinds, a clear, self-less vision is needed. The country and party deserves better and so with a heavy heart I have decided to resign.”
She then expressed thanks to those that have helped her through “these past years”.
Resignations
The number of Tory ministers resigning today has reached, at time of publication, 31.
The MPs are retiring due to, by and large, problems they have – be it lack of confidence or differing opinions – in party leadership, namely Prime Minister Johnson.
