The newly appointed education secretary resigns just 36 hours after the new chancellor tells the prime minister to resign.
Michelle Donelan, the new Education Secretary, resigned after only 36 hours in the job, just moments after new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi told Boris Johnson to “go now.”
In her resignation letter, she stated that on Wednesday she “pleaded” with the prime minister to “do the right thing and resign for the sake of our country and our party.”
But she now believed that the “only way” to depose him was for the cabinet to “force your hand.”
Ms. Donelan’s letter comes just moments after Mr. Zahawi issued his statement, in which he stated, “My number one priority has been and always will be this great country.” I accepted the position of Chancellor out of loyalty. Not to a man, but to this country and everything it has given me.
“The challenges Britain faces, whether it is inflation or Putin’s war in Ukraine, will not stop, and it is critical that the major offices of the state continue to function amid a national crisis.” If people thought poorly of me because of that decision, I am willing to accept the criticism.
“Yesterday, I made it clear to the Prime Minister and my colleagues in No. 10 that this was only going in one direction, and that he should leave with dignity.” I kept this advice private out of respect and in the hope that he would listen to an old friend of 30 years.
I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining this government’s incredible achievements at this late hour.” Nobody will forget how we got Brexit done, how we kept a dangerous antisemite out of No 10, how we handled covid, and how we helped Ukraine in its hour of need.
“However, the country deserves a government that is not only stable but also honest.”
Prime Minister, you know in your heart what is right, and you must go now.
