Employment minister Mims Davies quits in scathing resignation

Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex, said that the Conservative Party needed a fresh start and new leadership and that work by the government has been “overshadowed” by scandals in Westminster.

She said: “Over the past few months, I have become increasingly concerned about your premiership, those around you and our great party’s direction and what we truly stand for.

“Many people go into politics to make a difference and I would like to say I am one of them.

"But these last few months have led me to believe that we must strive to make that difference while fully upholding the highest standards in public life and remain true to our values as an individual and as a Conservative.

“I am sad to say many of my constituents feel you have not met those standards and I agree with them. I have no confidence in your leadership, and I ask you to consider your position for the sake of the country and party.”

I have tended my resignation from from the government from a role I have cherished for the last three years. I thank everyone @DWP from bottom of my heart for all their work, friendship & support. But @Conservatives needs a fresh start & I can see no other way forward than this pic.twitter.com/7b2unhpUO3

— Mims Davies MP #KICKSTART #PLANFORJOBS #WAYTOWORK (@mimsdavies) July 6, 2022

She said that, while she was deeply committed to her role in the Department of Work and Pensions, “I feel the great work we are doing is utterly overshadowed by what has unfolded from the heart of the government in Downing Street”.

Her announcement comes amid a wave of ministerial resignations, including Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.

Five Conservative MPs in Sussex are now calling for the Prime Minister to resign, with Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, and Crawley MP Henry Smith announcing that they no longer have confidence in Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party and as Prime Minister.

Mr Smith said that despite the Prime Minister’s successes, “the unnecessary personal decision errors which have been made in Downing Street mean that for the sake of our country we now need new leadership”.

However, in Prime Minister’s Questions, Boris Johnson vowed to fight on and remain in office, disregarding calls to stand down.

Responding to a question by Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham and Johnson critic, the Prime Minister said: “The job of a Prime Minister in difficult circumstances is to keep going - and that’s what I’m going to do.”