[Crabcakes]

On the one hand I’m glad he’s resigned. On the other, I’m not entirely sure what he’s resigned from given he had no portfolio.

[kreuzberger]

That florid handscript, especially in these circumstances, proves what an arrogant tosser you are.

Hell mend yeh.

[Abernathy]

They always fucking resign because what they’ve done is “a distraction” , don’t they? Never because of the actual egregious behaviour itself.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Uber for Gav?


"Not likely, mate. 'E looks like 'e's gonna puke..."

[Malcolm Armsteen]

They always fucking resign because what they’ve done is “a distraction” , don’t they? Never because of the actual egregious behviour itself.

Or apologise IF they have caused offence...

[Tubby Isaacs]

I've heard some deeply unpleasant people saying "This fuss is all because they fear Suella Braverman". I've not heard anyone say "This fuss is all because they fear Gavin Williamson".

Apart from Sunak doing the minimum, I haven't really seen anyone much speak up for him.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Ah here's someone who showed up for Gavlar.

[kreuzberger]

I doubt that anyone keeked their drawers at the sight of Big Gav. I had the full suite of officials at MSC and Energy go ballistic on my media schedules and still laughed.

These people are risible but still fall for the old trick of going on whatever record. Fools.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Certainly a very odd appointment, but some of the Machiavellian talk seems a bit overdone. Williamson's hold over Sunak doesn't seem to have been very strong, given Rishi's defence which was the bear minimum. Which is not to say that Williamson himself doesn't think he's a Machiavellian genius, of course.

But a more likely explanation is that Sunak just had a blind spot. Perhaps Williamson had been genuinely helpful to him when he was the senior politician. I think Williamson had already had two Cabinet roles before Sunak made it off the backbenches. Or of course Williamson might just have sucked up to Sunak successfully.

[Youngian]

Sir Gav is taking a beating from Starmer in PMQs. ‘Sad middle management bully and his weak boss’ and ‘cartoon bully with a pet spider.’ More of this please.

[Youngian]

But a more likely explanation is that Sunak just had a blind spot. Perhaps Williamson had been genuinely helpful to him when he was the senior politician. I think Williamson had already had two Cabinet roles before Sunak made it off the backbenches. Or of course Williamson might just have sucked up to Sunak successfully.

That blind spot is judgement. The weaker Sunak becomes the more Hunt is boosted. Rishi will be a patsy leader like Uncle Junior Soprano and that Hamilton bloke who was allegedly Derek Hatton’s boss at Liverpool Council.

[Oboogie]

I doubt that anyone keeked their drawers at the sight of Big Gav.

How scary he is surely depends what he knows about you? According to his Deputy from his days as Chief Whip, Spider Boy was particularly interested in the details of MPs sexual proclivities and would gossip about them incessantly.
I can imagine several Tories getting pant wettingly wobbly at the thought of their proclivities being exposed to media, family and electorate.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I think that a lot of people would fill their Calvins faced with that level of aggression and unpleasantness.

Bullies don't pick on the people who are likely to break their nose in response.*



*A ploy I have used several times in my life.

[MisterMuncher]

I don't think you can underestimate how cosseted an existence a good number of these folks have had prior to meeting Williamson. He might be the most aggressive and offensive presence they've ever had to deal with.

As I said of it elsewhere, it's a bit like being a "soccer hardman", in that it cuts the ice amongst that particular crowd, but they'd get absolutely filled in by the average under-12 camogie player.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I don't think you can underestimate how cosseted an existence a good number of these folks have had prior to meeting Williamson. He might be the most aggressive and offensive presence they've ever had to deal with.

This in spades. When I did my stint at the DfE I was amazed at how 'fragile' a lot of the people were.

I had the job of chairing a meeting of primary head teachers. As always they sent a civil service 'minder' to make sure I didn't go rogue. The meeting was what you would expect of a bunch of teachers, taking the piss, being ironic and sarcastic etc.

After the meeting my minder was completely overwhelmed - "Why were you all so angry with each other?" - we were laughing, most of the time...

A lot of people on the autistic spectrum are safely employed in the civil service. It's a bully's sweetshop.

[Bones McCoy]

All those folks who turned out on Tuesday, arguing that this was greatly exaggerated and Sir Gavin was really nice.

They must feel like prize plonkers now, eh?

[Andy McDandy]

It was true at that point, to use the Cleverly defence.

[satnav]

I wonder how many more cabinet ministers are now worried about being exposed as bullies? Dominic Raab is definitely a bully. Braverman has probably got form. I'm sure that more will emerge over the next couple of months.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Starmer had it right.

Talentless middle managers who think they're alphas and can only get what they want through bullying - which is supported by their exalted positions...

[Abernathy]

Also liked "afraid of a cartoon bully with a pet spider" from Starmer.