Following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon, Senior Consultant Kate Begg looks into the promotion of Gavin Williamson and reaction it has triggered.
In a week where Westminster has been engulfed by accusations of sexual harassment, last night’s shock resignation from Sir Michael Fallon added more fuel to the rapidly growing fire.
Conversations this morning quickly turned from “that list” to who would take on the coveted role of Defence Secretary, with the bookies and Twitter placing the likes of Tom Tugendhat, Penny Mordaunt and Tobias Ellwood as likely successors. We should have all learned by now that making political predictions in this day and age is more than likely to leave many of us a little red faced; it came as no surprise then that few predicted the appointment of Gavin Williamson.
The former Chief Whip has risen quickly through the ranks, is well respected by his colleagues and an important ally for the Prime Minster around the Cabinet table. However, not three hours into the role, Williamson is already facing criticism for his lack of defence (and ministerial) experience. The Prime Minister may have created a rod for her own back by selecting her former campaign manager over someone like Penny Mordaunt who, as a former Defence Minister and with experience in the Royal Navy, could have become the first female Defence Secretary in Britain’s history.
Health Select Committee Chair, Dr Sarah Wollaston, has made her thoughts on the new appointment clear by tweeting, “There are times when offered a job that it would be better to advise that another would be more experienced & suited to the role”, whilst others from within the party have questioned the Prime Minister’s decision to remove a Chief Whip, who has never lost a vote on government business, from his post at such a perilous time for the Conservatives. Chief Whips are also known to have significant influence during reshuffles, prompting many to question if Mr Williamson, who would have been well versed on the detail behind Fallon’s departure, in effect promoted himself. Downing Street has said that on this occasion, he was not involved.
Maintaining some semblance of continuity, the PM’s next move was to fill the role Williamson vacated with his deputy, Julian Smith. Relatively unknown, Mr Smith will certainly feel the pressure over the next few months as he battles to enforce discipline in a party that is seen by many to be coming away at the seams. Supporting him will be Esther McVey, who lost her seat in 2015 before returning via George Osborne’s seat of Tatton earlier this year. In light of the current accusations flying around Parliament, the reintroduction of a woman to a previously all male team may ease the concerns of those who looked upon the former group as an all-boys club. However, those who were looking towards to Anne Milton taking the role of Chief Whip will be disappointed.
With the current scandal – which many have likened to 2009 expenses debacle – showing no signs of dying down, the question on everyone’s lips is, who might be next? Instead of extinguishing the fire, Fallon’s resignation may have had the opposite effect, setting a precedent for others in the Cabinet involved in this scandal to follow suit.
Despite the criticism, Gavin Williamson is clearly very well connected across the party, holds the new Chief Whip amongst his closest allies and is clearly viewed as indispensable to Mrs May. Considering his rapid rise to the top over the last seven years, and the strong position he currently finds himself in, it makes sense to conclude that the obviously ambitious Mr Williamson may have set his sights on leadership.
