At the time of writing, 21 Tories have quit their positions during the past 24 hours with more expected to withdraw support for the Prime Minister over the next few days.
Mr Andrew, who was appointed to the role of Housing minister in February, said: “It is with sadness that I am resigning as housing minister. I pay tribute to all my ministerial colleagues, officials, and civil servants in the Department and the wider sector. I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in Pudsey, Horsforth, and Aireborough.”
He added: “Our party, particularly our members and most importantly our great country, deserve better.
“Having a marginal seat, I have seen the huge sacrifice our members make in volunteering considerable hours to campaign on our behalf and I cannot, in all good conscience, tolerate them having to defend the indefensible.”
Mr Andrew, who after serving only 148 days in his role - the shortest-serving housing minister in the past 25 years, apologised to the housing sector, admitting that they “will have to get to know yet another housing minister”, however, he commended the sector and those in local government for "doing so much to address the housing needs of our country."
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “We have seen a succession of housing ministers, however, with Michael Gove retaining his position and providing strategic oversight we wouldn't expect to see any negative effects.
"The market is a huge part of the economy and consistent leadership is vital. We need policies which allow for fluidity of movement, releasing more stock as well as empowering buyers at all stages of life, it is frustrating for relationship-building to have changing ministers, however, we work closely with civil servants who remain consistent and are ultimately the gatekeepers in the machine."
