It is with very great regret that I have today resigned from the Government. I continue to have enormous personal affection for the Prime Minister but I believe that we need a fresh start. It has been one of the great honours of my life to serve as a minister – particularly in a department whose agenda is so close to my heart with colleagues and officials of such high quality. My first priority in politics has always been to represent the interests of my constituents and neighbours in Brentwood and Ongar and I now look forward to having more time to devote to them.
