The Two Gavins are great but need help

THE new political season has opened with Theresa May in a far stronger position than most observers predicted in the aftermath of her General Election disaster.

This improvement in her fortunes is not down to chance.

Huge credit goes to Chief Whip Gavin Williamson, who — working with Downing Street Chief of Staff Gavin Barwell — has reinvigorated morale and discipline in the Tories’ parliamentary party. Williamson is turning into one of the finest Tory whips, comparable to 20th-century greats.

I am reminded of war hero Carol Mather, who served Margaret Thatcher and on one occasion quelled backbench panic by saying: ‘The trouble with these young men is that they have never been under fire.’

And, also, Alastair Goodlad, who held the Conservatives together in John Major’s final, difficult months in No. 10.

The Two Gavins, though, need the support of a strong party chairman to give vitality to the party in the country.

Current chairman Patrick McLoughlin has failed in this important task.

Is it too much to hope that Iain Duncan Smith can be lured from the backbenches to take on this crucial job?