![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/promoting-grant-shapps-shows-sunak-doesnt-care-about-defence-says-ex-forces-minister/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_Britain-London-New-Defense-Secretary-31-Aug-2023.jpg&description=The vice-chair of the Defence Select Committee branded Grant Shapps a "PR man". Meanwhile Labour's Keir Starmer is expected to shake up his top team this week Rishi Sunak promoting Grant Shapps tells Britain's allies the PM 'doesn't give a damn' about Defence, a former armed forces minister has warned. The Prime Minister made Mr Shapps Defence Secretary - his fifth ministerial role in a year - on Thursday, after weeks of speculation over who would replace fellow Tory Ben Wallace. The reshuffle also saw former children's minister Clare Coutinho promoted to Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary. Meanwhile Labour 's Keir Starmer is expected to shake up his top team tomorrow. John Spellar, the vice-chair of the Commons Select Committee told this newspaper Mr Shapps was 'basically just a PR man.' 'Grant Shapps has had no background in the brief - unlike several of the contenders who were suggested in the press, who had good knowledge of different parts of defence,' he said. 'Furthermore, he's flitted from department to department and seems to leave little achievement in his in his wake.' Mr Spellar, who served as a defence minister under Tony Blair for four years until 2001, added: 'I don't know what our key allies will make of this at a time of heightened international - not only the war in Ukraine, but wider international international tension. 'This is grossly irresponsible, and a sign of a government that's on its way down and on its way out that.' Ms Coutinho's appointment raised concerns over her mixed voting record on climate issues. She voted against laws to tackle climate change ten times in just two years. They included voting against proposals to 'do more in respect of the cost of living and climate change' and against calls to stamp out most transport emissions by 2030. And she voted against a blanket ban on burning peat on English moorlands despite a warning from wildlife charities that it would be 'impossible to meet net zero'. But she did support the gove){kind=link}
The vice-chair of the Defence Select Committee branded Grant Shapps a “PR man”. Meanwhile Labour’s Keir Starmer is expected to shake up his top team this week
Rishi Sunak promoting Grant Shapps tells Britain’s allies the PM “doesn’t give a damn” about Defence, a former armed forces minister has warned.
The Prime Minister made Mr Shapps Defence Secretary – his fifth ministerial role in a year – on Thursday, after weeks of speculation over who would replace fellow Tory Ben Wallace.
The reshuffle also saw former children’s minister Clare Coutinho promoted to Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary.
Meanwhile Labour ‘s Keir Starmer is expected to shake up his top team tomorrow.