May plans for succession
Gavin Williamson emerges as leadership contender after PM’S surprise decision to promote her key ally
THERESA MAY gave a clear indication yesterday that she is planning for her succession by promoting one of her closest allies to the Cabinet in a move that took the Conservative Party entirely by surprise.
The Prime Minister handed Gavin Williamson, the Chief Whip, the prized role of Defence Secretary, left vacant by the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon, after overlooking several ministers with far more experience.
Friends of Mr Williamson said he would never try to oust Mrs May, to whom he is fiercely loyal, but would be “very well placed” to succeed her if, as is widely expected, she decided to stand down before the next election in 2022.
However, the announcement angered many Tory MPS who described the appointment as “ridiculous” and “appalling”, while others suggested it was a sign of Mrs May’s “weakness”.
Mr Williamson, 41, who played a part in Sir Michael’s downfall by summoning him to a “come clean” meeting earlier this week, was accused by some rivals of knifing his senior colleague so he could take his job.
Meanwhile, it was reported last night that Sir Michael had resigned after Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, reported him to Downing Street over alleged inappropriate conduct. Mrs Leadsom is said to have made a complaint to No 10 on Wednesday, followed shortly afterwards by Sir Michael’s resignation, according to The Sun.
He is alleged to have made a sexual comment when Mrs Leadsom complained of having cold hands, telling her: “I know where you can put them to warm them up.” A source close to Sir Michael last night denied the claims, adding: “He categorically denies saying something as appalling.” Downing Street refused to comment. It was suggested by sources that Mr Williamson was being groomed as Mrs May’s protege and that she had brought him into the Cabinet so that he would be in a position to succeed her when the Brexit process is completed in 2019.
Mrs May has avoided any challenge to her leadership, despite a series of crises, because of a lack of any obvious contender to replace her. Mr Williamson’s appointment changed that dynamic by bringing a fresh face into the Cabinet in a senior role, making him a credible po- tential successor. Mr Williamson became the main beneficiary of the leaked so-called “dirty dossier” of Tory MPS, prompting calls last night for an investigation into who was behind the leak and who compiled the list.
There is no suggestion that Mr Williamson knew of the list before it was leaked on Sunday. A friend of one minister whose name appears on the list said: “There is an appetite across the Tory party and across the highest ranks to know where it came from, and some kind of formal investigation would be sensible, whether that be by the Cabinet Office or a legal entity employed by the Conservatives.”
Another MP whose name is on the list said: “It is right that people should know where the list came from. It is important to have an inquiry then we can rule out it having been an inside job from the whips’ office or anywhere else.”
The Conservative Party was last
night braced for more damaging disclosures after The Daily Telegraph learnt that a second list of 20 to 30 Tory MPS is now circulating in Westminster, which is understood to include names that were not on the original list.
Mr Williamson’s promotion provoked rage from some Tory MPS, many of whom believed existing ministers were better qualified for the Defence Secretary role.
One senior minister said the Prime Minister had allowed Mr Williamson to “appoint himself ” because she is “so weak”. The minister added: “She has to go, this is appalling.”
Another minister said: “It’s a disgrace. Any conversation he has ever had with anyone, he has used to further his own interests. It’s fundamentally disloyal.” Another suggested that Mrs May had “gone mad” and the appointment was “real end of days stuff ”.
A senior Conservative MP said: “Gavin Williamson has no interest or knowledge of the Armed Forces whatsoever. This says more about Theresa May and her own weakness. This sends out a terrible message about what the Conservative Party thinks of defence.”
Mrs May was also criticised for missing the chance to appoint the first female defence secretary. Penny Mordaunt, the former Armed Forces minister who is also a Royal Naval Reservist, had been tipped for the role. The MP Sarah Wollaston said Ms Mordaunt was “very experienced and respected”.
Friends of the new Defence Secretary suggested he was a victim of jealousy within the party and that he was often “the smartest guy in the room” at No 10 meetings. Having helped lead Mrs May’s leadership election, Mr Williamson was rewarded with the Chief Whip role, and is said to have persuaded Mrs May not to resign on two occasions.
Mr Williamson was rated so highly by David Cameron that the former prime minister chose him to be his Parliamentary Private Secretary, a role Mr Williamson held until Mr Cameron resigned last year. Mrs May’s faith in him was shown by her choosing him to lead the negotiations with the DUP when she lost her majority in the general election.
Friends of Mr Williamson believe his ambition is to be prime minister, and as a state-educated northerner with a working-class background, he could reach out to Labour voters.
One minister said: “I don’t know what he stands for, what he believes in. His backstory is great but the truth is that the jury is out.”