Marrakech - William Hague is stepping down as the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary after serving in the position since 2010.
Marrakech – William Hague is stepping down as the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary after serving in the position since 2010.
He previously served as Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and a leading member of the Conservative Party. He remains First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and will play a prominent part in the coming elections in the United Kingdom before his planned return to writing.
His resignation as Foreign Secretary comes as part of a larger cabinet reshuffle prior to the next British election. Many are wondering why, at a moment of grave international crisis, a leading figure in foreign affairs would step down. Issues such as terrorism in Iraq and Syria threaten not only the Middle East, but also the world.
Prime Minister David Cameron recently called the threat of British jihadis from Syria Britain’s number one security concern.
A BBC commentator suggested that recent developments with Europe and David Cameron’s political defeat regarding the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as EU President may have had a hand in Hague’s departure.
The UK’s role in Europe always plays a significant role in Conservative Party politics, and Cameron’s promise of a referendum on Britain’s EU membership could cause a rift.
Significantly, Europhile Kenneth Clarke and William Hague are changing positions as the Ukip party gains ground politically. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Labour Party are all looking rather weak.
