Preston's MP says he hasn't thought about his legacy, ahead of new armed forces report
Defence secretary Ben Wallace announced at the weekend that he is to step down at the next election
One of Preston's MPs says he hasn't thought about his legacy ahead of the publication of a paper that will set out the armed forces' future.
Ben Wallace, who's the MP for Wyre and Preston North as well as Defence Secretary, announced at the weekend that he is to step down at the next election, blaming pressures on his family.
Later, a long awaited paper will be published that will look at the UK's armed forces. It will set out how the UK will invest an additional £2.5 billion in stockpiles and a global response force.
Despite its publication being one of his last major actions in government, Mr Wallace has been modest - he does not see it as his legacy - but as fullfilling a debt to serviceman and women.
He said: "I don't think of legacies, I just think it's the natural step," he said.
"We started talking about this at the beginning of the year; there was a commitment to the integration of review refresh, which obviously was going to trigger this.
"I was determined that the lessons from Ukraine were brought forward and so that people now know what we need to do and I think that's important."
His Wyre and Preston North constituency in Lancashire will disappear at the next general election because of boundary changes and he said he will not seek a new seat.
He is believed to have told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on June 16 of his plans to stand down from Cabinet.
On Monday, Mr Sunak praised Mr Wallace's "distinguished" career.