Agree - everyone calling for a wider reshuffle would be denouncing her for an idiot for not waiting if another minister, or two, quits in the next couple of weeks......
She could have got rid of the Party Chairperson and put Esther into that role surely?
From PPS (Dave's) to Defence Secretary in 18 months - that's an impressive rise by any accounts: it will also be Williamson's first ever Departmental Ministerial role.
Nabavi reckoned he was a dud...
He’s a dud in front of people/crowds.
He’s a good backroom guy.
University of bradford,not all bad - or is it ;-)
Anyone who survived three years in Little Horton has my respect. Only place I've ever been mugged and robbed.
A friend has just been mugged and robbed in Bergen, Norway of all places. Sorry to report it was by a recent arrival to the country.
Maybe not. If the point is to have a Chief Whip who is going to be seen to be above the 'hardline' tactics that have been in use in the past, then it has to be a woman, and one that is rather more telegenic and would appear to have soft edges might be a good choice.
The other shoe is about to drop, Momentum/Labour are about to have their collar felt. It's not a bit of touchy feely, it's Rape and Sexual Assault that is being alleged (Bex & John Mann allegation) with the party machine fully aware and leaning on women not to pursue claims.
From PPS (Dave's) to Defence Secretary in 18 months - that's an impressive rise by any accounts: it will also be Williamson's first ever Departmental Ministerial role.
Nabavi reckoned he was a dud...
He’s a dud in front of people/crowds.
He’s a good backroom guy.
University of bradford,not all bad - or is it ;-)
Anyone who survived three years in Little Horton has my respect. Only place I've ever been mugged and robbed.
A friend has just been mugged and robbed in Bergen, Norway of all places. Sorry to report it was by a recent arrival to the country.
Only place I've ever been mugged was Brussels - reporting it to the police cheered me up no end 'Oh yes, someone was murdered there last week'
From PPS (Dave's) to Defence Secretary in 18 months - that's an impressive rise by any accounts: it will also be Williamson's first ever Departmental Ministerial role.
Nabavi reckoned he was a dud...
He’s a dud in front of people/crowds.
He’s a good backroom guy.
University of bradford,not all bad - or is it ;-)
Anyone who survived three years in Little Horton has my respect. Only place I've ever been mugged and robbed.
A friend has just been mugged and robbed in Bergen, Norway of all places. Sorry to report it was by a recent arrival to the country.
Only place I've ever been mugged was Brussels - reporting it to the police cheered me up no end 'Oh yes, someone was murdered there last week'
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Tom Newton DunnVERIFIED ACCOUNT @tnewtondunn 1 min1 minute ago
Breaking: New Defence Secretary is Gavin Williamson - the Chief Whip! Wow.
Meh, May plays it timid and safe
What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?
A bloody good question.
Why is RS the vessel into which all tory hopes and dreams are poured? What's so great about him?
He is one of those people, similar to Dan Jarvis on the Lab side, onto which people project hopes and expectations in the absence of anyone who has any real substance.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Is that it ? A sex scandal prompts a surprise resignation and then the Chief Whip appoints himself to the vacancy ? Very Frank Underwood. Is May really so weak ?
Is that it ? A sex scandal prompts a surprise resignation and then the Chief Whip appoints himself to the vacancy ? Very Frank Underwood. Is May really so weak ?
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Tom Newton DunnVERIFIED ACCOUNT @tnewtondunn 1 min1 minute ago
Breaking: New Defence Secretary is Gavin Williamson - the Chief Whip! Wow.
Meh, May plays it timid and safe
What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?
A bloody good question.
Why is RS the vessel into which all tory hopes and dreams are poured? What's so great about him?
He is one of those people, similar to Dan Jarvis on the Lab side, onto which people project hopes and expectations in the absence of anyone who has any real substance.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
Rory's back story is quite incredible and there isn't any leading tories with his experience / knowledge on one of the most defining issues at the present time. That doesnt mean PM material, but a minister with day to day impact on tackking islamic extremism seems a no brainier.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Yup, dismal desultory drift, drift, drift to certain oblivion and PM Corbyn.
Tom Newton DunnVERIFIED ACCOUNT @tnewtondunn 1 min1 minute ago
Breaking: New Defence Secretary is Gavin Williamson - the Chief Whip! Wow.
Meh, May plays it timid and safe
What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?
A bloody good question.
Why is RS the vessel into which all tory hopes and dreams are poured? What's so great about him?
He is one of those people, similar to Dan Jarvis on the Lab side, onto which people project hopes and expectations in the absence of anyone who has any real substance.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
Rory's back story is quite incredible and there isn't any leading tories with his experience / knowledge on one of the most defining issues at the present time. That doesnt mean PM material, but a minister with day to day impact on tackking islamic extremism seems a no brainier.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
When should they get her out?
When they've (a) got a credible candidate to replace her, and (b) have an agreed and defensible position on the Brexit negotiations; Neither looks likely to be the case soon. Any new leader, of those currently in the cabinet, would simply inherit all of Mrs May's problems and not be in much of a better position to address them.
Tom Newton DunnVERIFIED ACCOUNT @tnewtondunn 1 min1 minute ago
Breaking: New Defence Secretary is Gavin Williamson - the Chief Whip! Wow.
Meh, May plays it timid and safe
What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?
A bloody good question.
Why is RS the vessel into which all tory hopes and dreams are poured? What's so great about him?
He is one of those people, similar to Dan Jarvis on the Lab side, onto which people project hopes and expectations in the absence of anyone who has any real substance.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
Rory's back story is quite incredible and there isn't any leading tories with his experience / knowledge on one of the most defining issues at the present time. That doesnt mean PM material, but a minister with day to day impact on tackking islamic extremism seems a no brainier.
Don't disagree. But as you say doesn't make him PM material.
Rory's back story is quite incredible and there isn't any leading tories with his experience / knowledge on one of the most defining issues at the present time. That doesnt mean PM material, but a minister with day to day impact on tackking islamic extremism seems a no brainier.
Everything with which he was professionally involved on that front has gone horribly wrong so maybe not.
Tom Newton DunnVERIFIED ACCOUNT @tnewtondunn 1 min1 minute ago
Breaking: New Defence Secretary is Gavin Williamson - the Chief Whip! Wow.
Meh, May plays it timid and safe
What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?
A bloody good question.
Why is RS the vessel into which all tory hopes and dreams are poured? What's so great about him?
He is one of those people, similar to Dan Jarvis on the Lab side, onto which people project hopes and expectations in the absence of anyone who has any real substance.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
Rory's back story is quite incredible and there isn't any leading tories with his experience / knowledge on one of the most defining issues at the present time. That doesnt mean PM material, but a minister with day to day impact on tackking islamic extremism seems a no brainier.
He does seem to have risen without trace, though. We all gasped at the back story back in 2010, but the only times I've been aware of him since then have been when people have asked "What does Rory the tory have to do to get a proper job?"
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Yes unfortunately it is all too reminiscent of the Major government after September 1992. Only difference is for the May government it is unlikely to be such a long drawn out affair
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
Give it five minutes and it'll emerge the ' Spreadsheet ' said to have been compiled by researchers had Whips infomation on it. And if you read it carefully some of the more bizarre entries certainly read like that. The Underwood references are the most obvious and amusing but as suggested below Williamson may be attempting to do a John Major. Pound shop or otherwise.
Nick Timothy has always shown such excellent judgment in the past.
Oh.
I LOL’d when I saw the tweet of him endorsing this. Right now the reaction to this appointment (aside from Timothy) seems to be wholly negative. This guy looks like he might be trouble.....
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
The appointment of Williamson meets all the criteria of the person who appears to have made it. Gavin Williamson.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
Yet again, in trying not to rock the boat, she has misunderestimated (badly) the effect on those people not within her small coterie to whom, I have no doubt, it represented a masterstroke of strategic political planning.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
The appointment of Williamson meets all the criteria of the person who appears to have made it. Gavin Williamson.
Give it five minutes and it'll emerge the ' Spreadsheet ' said to have been compiled by researchers had Whips infomation on it. And if you read it carefully some of the more bizarre entries certainly read like that. The Underwood references are the most obvious and amusing but as suggested below Williamson may be attempting to do a John Major. Pound shop or otherwise.
You might think that, but I couldn't possibly comment.
Nick Timothy has always shown such excellent judgment in the past.
Oh.
Does seem like the current cabinet are very loose with their tongues. Is there another agenda here I wonder? Weaken, replace, reverse?
As Richard N said I don't think there's any cunning masterplan/overarching strategy at all. Unfortunately it's the leadership deficiencies of TM that are being exposed.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
So it seems this Gavin Williamson character is about as popular as a bowel of cold sick with Tories.
Is this how Boris becomes leader when the leadership contest is held? We finally have someone even more unpopular with the backbenches than Boris so BJ becomes the "ABG" (Anyone But Gav) candidate?
There's never anything more amusing than reading secondhand thwarted rage on twitter of disappointed would-be applicants for a job. Gavin Williamson now has to prove himself.
No one now talks about George Osborne's lack of experience as a newspaper editor. But the FURY from journalists when it was announced was just as enjoyable.
So it seems this Gavin Williamson character is about as popular as a bowel of cold sick with Tories.
I don't think he's unpopular as such, it's the appointment to such a senior position, and for which he's much less qualified than others, which is going down so badly.
I do wonder if there's the whiff of sour grapes in this. Unless Williamson was confined to the Chief Whip's office for ever, where else could he be reasonably moved to but another cabinet post, when he's done a pretty decent job as CW in challenging circumstances?
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
I may be mistaken but, until Blair, wasn't it tradition that the MoD got an ex-military man?
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
Inter service rivalry. The idea of appointing a military man risks upsetting the other two services in which he didn't serve. Appoint a neutral, try to keep the rivalry under control.
I do wonder if there's the whiff of sour grapes in this. Unless Williamson was confined to the Chief Whip's office for ever, where else could he be reasonably moved to but another cabinet post, when he's done a pretty decent job as CW in challenging circumstances?
Re your last sentence, Nah, he's done poorly, I'm sorry but ducking out of votes isn't doing a decent job as Chief Whip.
So it seems this Gavin Williamson character is about as popular as a bowel of cold sick with Tories.
I don't think he's unpopular as such, it's the appointment to such a senior position, and for which he's much less qualified than others, which is going down so badly.
He obviously has one key qualification that others don't have: the ear of the Prime Minister.
I do wonder if there's the whiff of sour grapes in this. Unless Williamson was confined to the Chief Whip's office for ever, where else could he be reasonably moved to but another cabinet post, when he's done a pretty decent job as CW in challenging circumstances?
The whiff? All we're getting now is the foaming and raging of the spurned.
Mr Williamson may or may not be up to the job but we're not hearing anything this morning to inform us on that subject.
I do wonder if there's the whiff of sour grapes in this. Unless Williamson was confined to the Chief Whip's office for ever, where else could he be reasonably moved to but another cabinet post, when he's done a pretty decent job as CW in challenging circumstances?
I think many are worried about him having the dirt on a lot of people (allegedly) tbh. I think that’s what’s behind this reaction. Although Nick Timothy seems to think that this is a good appointment, which in itself is alarming. Allegedly he wants to be PM as well, not sure that’s he’s right choice for that role. I did find this tweet describing him by Kevin Maguire pretty funny:
So it seems this Gavin Williamson character is about as popular as a bowel of cold sick with Tories.
I don't think he's unpopular as such, it's the appointment to such a senior position, and for which he's much less qualified than others, which is going down so badly.
He obviously has one key qualification that others don't have: the ear of the Prime Minister.
or a good grip somewhere else, paraphrasing Chuck Coulson
@David_Herdson Of course it's sour grapes. But the grapes have a lot to be sour about. This was triggered by intraparty infomation ( the Spreadsheet ) being leaked then the Chief Whip appointing himself to the subsequently vacant job. It's open to the interpretation of being a False Flag attack. Whether it is or not doesn't matter in the current febrile environment. May needed momentum from this change. Instead she'll get a process story.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
I may be mistaken but, until Blair, wasn't it tradition that the MoD got an ex-military man?
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
Not really, George Younger, Tom King, Malcolm Rifkind, Poprtillo,
We need one of those graphs Mike quotes, on Williamson's odds as Next PM / Next Con leader. All over the place this morning. He traded under 10 on Betfair this morning, before bouncing back out to the high teens. He has been backed at as long as 600 though, which would be a nice ticket to hold.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
I may be mistaken but, until Blair, wasn't it tradition that the MoD got an ex-military man?
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
Not really, George Younger, Tom King, Malcolm Rifkind, Poprtillo,
King served as an officer in the Somerset Light Infantry
We need one of those graphs Mike quotes, on Williamson's odds as Next PM / Next Con leader. All over the place this morning. He traded under 10 on Betfair this morning, before bouncing back out to the high teens. He has been backed at as long as 600 though, which would be a nice ticket to hold.
I got on at 139/1 earlier ... have taken a few gains since then but still long him.
He obviously has one key qualification that others don't have: the ear of the Prime Minister.
Certainly, and that is part of the problem.
Exactly. This is the essence of it. TMay has long been a micro-manager who has not trusted or allowed anyone outside a small number of people the scope to do anything without her consent. This became evident at the GE and has now manifested itself with this appointment. It is, sadly, a sign of weakness and one that makes her leadership more brittle.
That is the reason for the texts - not sour grapes, but frustration that she remains in her small world excluding all others.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
I may be mistaken but, until Blair, wasn't it tradition that the MoD got an ex-military man?
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
Not really, George Younger, Tom King, Malcolm Rifkind, Poprtillo,
King served as an officer in the Somerset Light Infantry
Yes, missed that - I stand corrected. But I think the rule holds, it was never a position traditionally set aside for an ex military man by wrote, just that in the 20th C many had served due to the prevailing history - rather than having been career military men.
In the BBC2 docudrama Theresa v Boris: How May Became PM, Williamson was played by the actor Daniel Casey. He was portrayed as a ruthless, Malcolm Tucker-esque Machiavel. “I’ll fire you, then I’ll fucking castrate you, all right?” he warned one Tory MP who failed to vote for May in the first round of the leadership contest. The impression of menace was enhanced by the appearance of a pet tarantula.
Williamson keeps the spider in a glass box on his desk. Cronus, as it is known, was named after a Greek god who castrated his father and ate his children. The parliamentary authorities demanded that Williamson expel the spider, but his team convinced them otherwise. “You have to look at different ways to persuade people to vote with the government,” Williamson has said. “Cronus is a perfect example of an incredibly clean, ruthless killer.”
I don't get this appointment. The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood). Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
I doubt the military would want an ex-military MoD.
I may be mistaken but, until Blair, wasn't it tradition that the MoD got an ex-military man?
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
Not really, George Younger, Tom King, Malcolm Rifkind, Poprtillo,
In the BBC2 docudrama Theresa v Boris: How May Became PM, Williamson was played by the actor Daniel Casey. He was portrayed as a ruthless, Malcolm Tucker-esque Machiavel. “I’ll fire you, then I’ll fucking castrate you, all right?” he warned one Tory MP who failed to vote for May in the first round of the leadership contest. The impression of menace was enhanced by the appearance of a pet tarantula.
Williamson keeps the spider in a glass box on his desk. Cronus, as it is known, was named after a Greek god who castrated his father and ate his children. The parliamentary authorities demanded that Williamson expel the spider, but his team convinced them otherwise. “You have to look at different ways to persuade people to vote with the government,” Williamson has said. “Cronus is a perfect example of an incredibly clean, ruthless killer.”
So two of the three emergency stimulus measures the Bank activated after the Referendum have now been reversed. Many tell us they weren't needed. That may be arguing the airbag wasn't needed because you didn't die but at least now we'll get more experimental data.
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
So Mrs May has lost you and JohnO today.
She’s doomed.
Not necessarily given both backed Remain
This is nothing to do with Remain/Leave/Brexit, all to do with Mrs May being crap.
John has faithfully and wonderfully served his party for decades, that's what should worry Mrs May (and all Tories)
For Mrs May, this also feels like a career-defining moment. She has now insisted that certain standards of past behaviour are not consistent with membership of her government. Mrs May will remember the “Back to Basics” farce that unwittingly engulfed the Major government in the Nineties. If what looks like a strong stand today doesn’t descend into weakness tomorrow, then she will have to enforce that ruling whatever it means for other ministers in her government. As one very senior Conservative says privately this morning: Mr Fallon’s certainly won’t be the only resignation or dismissal. That may include potentially her closest allies in a Cabinet where she has few friends. For a Prime Minister without authority or a majority, that is one hell of a political gamble.
Comments
The other shoe is about to drop, Momentum/Labour are about to have their collar felt. It's not a bit of touchy feely, it's Rape and Sexual Assault that is being alleged (Bex & John Mann allegation) with the party machine fully aware and leaning on women not to pursue claims.
https://twitter.com/ExcelPope/status/925797248860147715
I'm sure Ed Miliband enjoyed his bacon butty this morning.
We might have to wait for the Sunday papers for the next resignation.
Gav does have a bit of a David Miliband vibe about him doesn't he?
However, I'm not at all confident that this is the end of the gropegate fallout. The distressing fact of the matter is the government is falling apart, and the PM is not really in a position to do much about it, even if she were temperamentally suited to do so. Unfortunately she isn't, she'll continue to react on this and other issues by one-off decisions to deal with the immediate problem but without any over-reaching strategy or attempt to seize the initiative.
Up close, of course, these people simply don't have it. Yet.
Why, you ask? His (and DJ's) profile is such that he ticks a lot of boxes. I fear for RS he may look a little Robin Cook-ish to be PM.
I would say may must he confident that no other minster is likely to be in trouble, but this is may we are talking about.
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/observations/2017/07/gavin-williamson-cunning-tory-chief-whip-tarantula-his-desk
She’s doomed.
https://twitter.com/George_Osborne/status/926047709152382976
https://twitter.com/NickJTimothy/status/926048932622368768
https://twitter.com/paulwaugh/status/926049086997979136
Nick Timothy has always shown such excellent judgment in the past.
Oh.
The Tories have tonnes of MPs with military experience (Rory, Mercer), cabinet ministers that would have made good choices in related diagonally down positions (DFid) and ministers where defence would have been a logical progression upward from their current roll (Ellwood).
Not to mention the opportunity for a wide ranging reshuffle that is sorely needed (Boris etc).
Yet WIlliamson has been appointed that satisfies precisely zero of those criteria ?!
Indeed. Very unusual.
LOL
The economic damage will be worth it, it will force us to spend within our means.
It'll also disproportionately hit poor people too and not the middle classes, bonus.
Is this how Boris becomes leader when the leadership contest is held? We finally have someone even more unpopular with the backbenches than Boris so BJ becomes the "ABG" (Anyone But Gav) candidate?
No one now talks about George Osborne's lack of experience as a newspaper editor. But the FURY from journalists when it was announced was just as enjoyable.
Of course, that was far easier for the war generations.
Theresa May is Caligula and Gavin Williamson is Incitatus.
Mr Williamson may or may not be up to the job but we're not hearing anything this morning to inform us on that subject.
https://twitter.com/BBCNormanS/status/926054675832598528
https://twitter.com/kevin_maguire/status/926035277302435842
You may also want to add that Williamson as Sejanus and May as Tiberius is a better analogy.
I wonder whether they asked Ann Widdicombe?
That is the reason for the texts - not sour grapes, but frustration that she remains in her small world excluding all others.
He's made a lot of powerful enemies over the years (remember he was always the one to go on telly and attack Labour/Ed Miliband, etc)
If he was that well known as a sex-pest something would've come out about him years ago.
In the BBC2 docudrama Theresa v Boris: How May Became PM, Williamson was played by the actor Daniel Casey. He was portrayed as a ruthless, Malcolm Tucker-esque Machiavel. “I’ll fire you, then I’ll fucking castrate you, all right?” he warned one Tory MP who failed to vote for May in the first round of the leadership contest. The impression of menace was enhanced by the appearance of a pet tarantula.
Williamson keeps the spider in a glass box on his desk. Cronus, as it is known, was named after a Greek god who castrated his father and ate his children. The parliamentary authorities demanded that Williamson expel the spider, but his team convinced them otherwise. “You have to look at different ways to persuade people to vote with the government,” Williamson has said. “Cronus is a perfect example of an incredibly clean, ruthless killer.”
https://twitter.com/georgeeaton/status/926034360062631936
John has faithfully and wonderfully served his party for decades, that's what should worry Mrs May (and all Tories)
For Mrs May, this also feels like a career-defining moment. She has now insisted that certain standards of past behaviour are not consistent with membership of her government. Mrs May will remember the “Back to Basics” farce that unwittingly engulfed the Major government in the Nineties. If what looks like a strong stand today doesn’t descend into weakness tomorrow, then she will have to enforce that ruling whatever it means for other ministers in her government. As one very senior Conservative says privately this morning: Mr Fallon’s certainly won’t be the only resignation or dismissal. That may include potentially her closest allies in a Cabinet where she has few friends. For a Prime Minister without authority or a majority, that is one hell of a political gamble.
https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/evening-standard-comment-michael-fallon-resignation-isn-t-the-end-of-this-storm-a3674606.html
Immigration will still fall though as he will also end free movement.