After Michael Fallon resigned as Defence Secretary last night amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour, questions were asked over how damaging this could be for May. As well as the sleaze scandal showing no sign of dying down, the Prime Minister has lost one of her most loyal ministers.
This morning, No 10 have tried to answer that question by moving one of May’s closest allies to defence. Gavin Williamson has been appointed Defence Secretary – leaving his post as Chief Whip. Well-liked and well-connected in the party, Williamson is seen as someone who can be trusted to get the job done with little drama – something May could do with right now. However, the move has also antagonised some in the party – who see it as rather convenient that the only person deemed suitable to come to May’s rescue amid a scandal is the one whose job it is to collect dirt on the rest.
However, his promotion means a new problem has arisen. Williamson is a hard act to follow in the Whips’ Office. A testing job at the best times, instilling party discipline with no Conservative majority, tensions over Brexit and little money isn’t the most enticing offer out there. May has appointed Julian Smith as Williamson’s successor – with Esther McVey making a welcome return to government as the deputy Chief Whip. Williamson used his pet tarantula Cronus to do this, the pair will need to come up with a few tricks of their own.
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