PM ready to stand by Williamson despite growing MPS’ revolt
THE Prime Minister is determined to keep Gavin Williamson as Education Secretary despite backbench claims that he has lost the confidence of the teaching profession and should lose his job over the exams debacle, Downing Street indicated yesterday.
Some Tory MPS, who led a full-scale rebellion yesterday over the grading crisis, said Mr Williamson’s position was not “tenable” after failing to heed the warnings and tackle the unfolding crisis earlier.
One senior backbencher said: “Surely he could have seen this train rumbling down the track from a mile off. They have had the grades sitting there for weeks. After the mess in Scotland there really was no excuse not to act.”
However, a No10 spokesman, asked if Boris Johnson had confidence in Mr Williamson, said: “Yes, the whole Government has been working hard to come up with the fairest possible system for pupils.”
Despite saying it was “beyond baffling” that Mr Williamson would stay on, several MPS said they thought he would survive for fear of making a “very effective enemy” who was “much better as a fixer or schemer than a minister”.
The climbdown on grades came after at least 30 Tory MPS spoke out at the damage caused by the use of an algorithm to determine grades, leaving many students downgraded and denied places at chosen universities.
George Freeman, a former minister, suggested the Prime Minister should consider sacking Mr Williamson over the “total shambles” of the grading.
He said: “Ultimately, the Prime Minister is in charge. And I think he will want to take firm control of this and get a grip and show that his Government is taking the life chances of a generation of children seriously.
“I’m told the Prime Minister’s planning to reshuffle in the autumn, and I dare say he wants to take everything into account.”
Asked if Mr Williamson could survive, a senior backbencher said: “The date of the A-levels and GCSES announcement has been known for at least a year and then throughout the period of the coronavirus panic. There really isn’t any excuse.”
Another backbencher said: “His handling has been so inept I almost feel sorry for him.”
Another MP said lots of colleagues were “frankly furious”.
However, a former Cabinet minister said that Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s senior adviser, may be disappointed to find out that Mr Williamson
‘Mr Williamson screwed up over returning to school, he’s screwed up over this. He should have gone long ago’
“isn’t a nodding dog, he’s a nasty little terrier with a bite”. “He’s definitely a ‘get even’ guy,” the MP added. “I wouldn’t bank on his going.
“Dom didn’t resign himself when he broke lockdown rules and instead made an arrogant statement.
“He has no regard for the press and you’ll probably find the blame will shift to the media.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he [Mr Williamson] is saved. He totally screwed up over returning to school, he’s screwed up over this. Really he should have gone a long time ago.”
MPS are concerned at the delay in getting to grips with the crisis after Scotland suffered a similar debacle, for which its Government apologised and reinstated teacher-predicted grades.
One warned it had undermined ministers’ reputation for competent government. “You’ve had a series of these screw-ups in recent months and it all comes from a rigid control of Downing Street,” the MP said.