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attracted criticism for the reduction in the size of the British Army to its lowest level in 200 years. Nevertheless, his appetite for the job and general reputation, especially after refusing to enter the leadership race following Johnson’s resignation, remained high. This ensured that he remained in post during the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss and later under Rishi Sunak. An aspiration to serve as the head of NATO was scuppered by US President Joe Biden and Wallace resigned on 31st August 2023 also announcing his intention to stand down as an MP. Wallace was the third longest- serving secretary of state for defence since the post was created in 1964 and the longest serving Conservative.
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