Did Watson fall on his sword for Brown's sake?
Peter Hoskin 7:16pm
Ok, so maybe we're all going a bit reshuffle crazy in Westminster, but here's a theory about Tom Watson's resignation that just popped into my head.
Imagine, if you will, that you're the Dear Leader and you hear that Jacqui Smith's resignation has leaked. This wasn't Downing St-sanctioned information, and it's certainly not part of your gameplan - so what do you do? Do you do nothing, and watch everyone get into a frenzy about how the Government has lost control of its own ministers? Or do you get one of your lapdogs to do exactly the same thing, so that people think Downing Street must be in control of things? After all, if one of your closest allies leaks his resignation, there's a chance that Smith's actions may not be regarded as an act of rebellion but, rather, as part of a centrally-determined initiative.
But who would be willing to fall on their sword so that the Dear Leader can save face? Hm. Step forward, Tom Watson...
Previous
Ray
June 2nd, 2009 7:29pm Report this commentPete, you're becoming paranoid. Surely, McBean couldn't be engineering ministerial resignations in a vain attempt to make him look in control of event.
Then again...
C Powell
June 2nd, 2009 7:48pm Report this commentDon't care about these evil numpties and how/why they resign. I just want to see the back of the lot of them ASAP.
But this quote caught my eye - it might stand as an epitaph on this government and a warning to Cameron -
"Liberty does not consist in making others do what you think right. The difference between a free Government and a Government which is not free is principally this: that a Government which is not free interferes with everything it can, and a free Government interferes with nothing except what it must."
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Solicitor General, 1873
David
June 2nd, 2009 7:58pm Report this commentWhere's he going tho? Is Watson going to become an official campaign coordinator for the Labout Party (as opposed to a Government paid one)? I can't see Brown wanting to lose another one of the gang at this stage.
Alf Tupper C.R.O.F.
June 2nd, 2009 8:01pm Report this commentCertainly not. Tom Watson has decided to step down simply so he can spend more time with his Meccano.
Very simply.
Mitch
June 2nd, 2009 8:01pm Report this commentlooks like rats just leaving the sinking ship,gordoom will be the only lab MP left soon oh and that idiot balls.They can have all the jobs they want.
How did the UK ever sink this low?
TrevorsDen
June 2nd, 2009 8:05pm Report this commentRay - before I scrolled down and saw your comment the word that popped in to my head was' delusional'.
I think some commentators are getting demob happy. Watson going is to say the least strange. The leaking of it now is positively paranormal.
was he under investigation.
Meantime a whole slew of labour MPs have just been deselected.
Charlie T
June 2nd, 2009 8:24pm Report this commentCould a sword get through that spare tractor tyre?
Uncle Tom's Cobblers
June 2nd, 2009 8:44pm Report this commentOr has Tom Watson crossed the Labour Party floor again, swapping sides in order to preserve his career?
He was a blairite once
Paraphernalia
June 2nd, 2009 9:09pm Report this commentJust because you are not paranoid, does not mean no-one is watching.
Andy Leeds
June 2nd, 2009 9:11pm Report this commentGordon the Moron aint that clever. They are all leaving a sinking ship. But a Captain should always go down with his ship.
Now all sing 'Eternal Father strong to save. . . .'
Chuck Unsworth
June 2nd, 2009 9:14pm Report this commentThey're all running scared now. Watson knows the game is up, anyway. It's only loonies like Brown who continue to be in denial. Watson may be a vicious little shit, but he ain't stupid.
Alan Douglas
June 2nd, 2009 9:40pm Report this commentMitch says "How did the UK ever sink this low?"
It didn't. It was pushed, or to continue the metaphor, it was held under.
When I first aem to the UK in the 50s it was Glasgow, and I was as chippy a Scot as you could wish for.
I reckon this last 12 years has been the chippy Scots' revenge. All the "terrible things" that England has done up north are being paid back. (Not denying there were some pretty terroble things done, but on both sides).
Alan Douglas
bill
June 2nd, 2009 9:46pm Report this commentwhat's in it for him?
TrevorsDen
June 2nd, 2009 9:48pm Report this commentThe Times is saying that "Tom Watson is standing down as Cabinet Office minister but will continue to advise the Prime Minister and help organise campaigns. "
... Presumably from a desk alongside Damien McBride.
So now we know - he is resigning so that he can carry on his dirty tricks at a more arms length.
Still odd it should be leaked now. Perhaps its trying to shore up the Presbyterian vote?
Stewart
June 3rd, 2009 4:09am Report this commentIs Watson not a bit too old and heavy to be wearing those "It's Grim Up North London - aren't I a troubled, psuedo intellectual" dark rimmed glasses? Why would a minister with little name recognition in the country (Outside Westminster) think his resignation could help shore up Brown? Does he think he's that famous? If so, then he's delusional.
Hugh
June 3rd, 2009 7:36am Report this commentOr... Tom Watson leaked the Smith story - probably somehow thinking it might benefit our leader; it didn't; Gordon not happy; quit before being fired.
Tankus
June 3rd, 2009 7:43am Report this commentThe ship is going down , but Gordo should be tied to the wheel to stop him escaping on the IMF board lifeboat.
Can't expect Mr tractor stats to do the honourable and traditional thing can we ?, his Presbyterian self preservation compass will kick in , and he will jump !
Actually he should be nailed to it .... just for the extra pain , that he's made us suffer
Dan Brusca
June 3rd, 2009 8:48am Report this commentThe simpler explanation is that the news of Watson's departure was released in the knowledge that it would be overshadowed by Smith's. may as well get them both out of the way at the same time.
Oscar
June 3rd, 2009 10:34am Report this commentTrevorsden - I think you are spot on. Why go now? For the opposite reason Pete proposes - to bury it under the avalanche of bad news. No questions asked.
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