Worcester MP Robin Walker has resigned from his government role this morning and has spoken to Worcester News about the decision. 

Mr Walker has stepped down as Minister of State for School Standards in Government - a position he has held for the last ten months. 

The resignation comes after Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid handed in their resignations within minutes of each other on Tuesday (July 5).

Since then several Conservative officials have also resigned from their posts.

In Mr Walker's resignation letter, he wrote that it is clear that the Conservative Party has "become distracted from its core missions by a relentless focus on questions over leadership".

READ MORE: Worcester MP Robin Walker resigns from Boris Johnson's government

He has spoken to Worcester News about the decision to tender his resignation after showing his support for prime minister Boris Johnson in the vote of confidence in June.

Mr Walker said he thought long and hard about the decision.

However, he does not think Mr Johnson can come back from the mass resignations and should 'make way for other people'. 

Mr Walker said: "It's something I have been thinking about long and hard and we do need a change in the party and I am sure that the Prime Minister can recognise that. 

"I felt that it was right but I am going to continue campaigning in my constituency and Worcester but not in Parliament.  

He said: "I think he [Boris Johnson] has achieved great things, he has done what he can and should make way for other people." 

Mr Walker's resignation letter said the Conservatives need to find the 'right balance between efficiency and compassion'.  

"We are in danger of being seen like that [lacking efficiency and compassion]."

He said the public perception of the party has to change and he wants to know the party has the same priorities as the public.

Mr Walker added his priorities going forward are fairer funding for schools and cutting waiting times at hospitals.

 

Cllr Lynn Denham, the leader of Worcester City Council's Labour group, said: "Worcester Labour welcomes Mr Walker’s resignation from government, although it comes long after the worst of the damage has been done.

"Trust in our politics has been rocked by Boris Johnson’s obvious daily lies, which Mr Walker has defended for years.

"During multiple crises on the cost of living, the NHS, housing and social care, the government in which Mr Walker served has been focussed almost entirely on defending the career of Boris Johnson.

"The cost of this has been borne by the people of Worcester, and the British people more generally. 

"We also note that while Mr Walker was penning his long-overdue resignation letter, Worcester Labour were hard at work at City Council, successfully pushing through new protections for renters and support on the cost of living."