Thérèse Coffey has been replaced as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Steve Barclay MP as part of yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle by Rishi Sunak.
Thérèse Coffey has been replaced as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Steve Barclay MP as part of yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle by Rishi Sunak.
I have written to the Prime Minister today to step down from government. It has been a privilege to serve him and indeed 5 Conservative Prime Ministers as a minister. I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents of Suffolk Coastal
In a resignation letter she sent to the Prime Minisiter yesterday, which she also published in Twitter, Thérèse Coffey said:
“Having been a minister since July 2014, and having served all five Conservative Prime Ministers, I consider it is now the right time to step back from government. “
She went on to say:
"Just in the last year, I was pleased to publish our Environmental Improvement Plan, launch our Plan for Water, and help to secure the Global Biodiversity Framework. I have strenghtened the foundation for Defra to deliver here in the UK and globally.”
Therese Coffey will now return to the back benches to serve the constituency of Suffolk Coastal.
Steve Barclay was previously Secretary of State for Health and Social Care between 25 October 2022 and 13 November 2023.
His previous roles in government have included Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
He was elected Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire in May 2010.
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