UK Climate Minister Graham Stuart Resigns
Britain's climate change minister, Graham Stuart, announced his resignation from government after eight years of service, citing it as the right time to step down. Stuart expressed his intention to stand for re-election as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party, with Labour leading in the polls.
Reason for Resignation:
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sunak, Stuart explained his decision to step down after serving as minister for most of the past eight years. He assured Sunak of his continued support from the back benches.
Replacement Appointment:
Justin Tomlinson, a former junior minister in the work and pensions department, has been named as Stuart's successor in the role of climate minister.
Stuart's Contributions and Controversies:
Stuart represented Britain at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai but faced criticism for flying back to London for a vote on a policy concerning asylum seekers in Rwanda while climate talks were ongoing. Despite this, Sunak commended Stuart for his efforts in supporting Britain's clean energy transition and achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Acknowledgment and Understanding from Sunak:
Prime Minister Sunak expressed understanding towards Stuart's decision to resign, acknowledging the demanding nature of ministerial roles and Stuart's continuous service since 2016.
Stuart's Career Background:
Appointed to his climate role in September 2022, Stuart has previously held junior positions in the foreign and trade ministries, contributing to various aspects of government policy.
