Friday 18 March 2016

Au Revoir or Adieu Iain Duncan Smith

Iain Duncan Smith has resigned as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the UK government.

In a rare moment of humanity, he has concluded, according to his statement to the media, that the latest changes to Disability Benefits are a step too far even for him.

Here is his resignation letter:


I am incredibly proud of the welfare reforms that the Government has delivered over the last five years. Those reforms have helped to generate record rates of employment and in particular a substantial reduction in workless households. As you know, the advancement of social justice was my driving reason for becoming part of your ministerial team and I continue to be grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to serve. You have appointed good colleagues to my department who I have enjoyed working with. It has been a particular privilege to work  with excellent civil servants and the outstanding Lord Freud and other ministers including my present team, throughout all of my time at the Department of Work and Pensions. 

I truly believe that we have made changes that will greatly improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged people in this country and increase their opportunities to thrive. A nation’s commitment to the least advantaged should include the provision of a generous safety-net but it should also include incentive structures and practical assistance programmes to help them live independently of the state. Together, we’ve made enormous strides towards building a system of social security that gets the balance right between state-help and self-help. 

Throughout these years, because of the perilous public finances we inherited from the last Labour administration, difficult cuts have been necessary. I have found some of these cuts easier to justify than others but aware of the economic situation and determined to be a team player I have accepted their necessity. You are aware that I believe the cuts would have been even fairer to younger families and people of working age if we had been willing to reduce some of the benefits given to better-off pensioners but I have attempted to work within the constraints that you and the Chancellor set. 

I have for some time and rather reluctantly come to believe that the latest changes to benefits to the disabled and the context in which they’ve been made are, a compromise too far. While they are defensible in narrow terms, given the continuing deficit, they are not defensible in the way they were placed within a Budget that benefits higher earning taxpayers. They should have instead been part of a wider process to engage others in finding the best way to better focus resources on those most in need. 

I am unable to watch passively whilst certain policies are enacted in order to meet the fiscal self imposed restraints that I believe are more and more perceived as distinctly political rather than in the national economic interest. Too often my team and I have been pressured in the immediate run up to a budget or fiscal event to deliver yet more reductions to the working age benefit bill. There has been too much emphasis on money saving exercises and not enough awareness from the Treasury, in particular, that the government’s vision of a new welfare-to-work system could not be repeatedly salami-sliced. 


It is therefore with enormous regret that I have decided to resign. You should be very proud of what this government has done on deficit reduction, corporate competitiveness, education reforms and devolution of power. I hope as the government goes forward you can look again, however, at the balance of the cuts you have insisted upon and wonder if enough has been done to ensure “we are all in this together”. 

So, this is really complex. I mean there were plenty of horrific cuts that he didn't resign over. Where did the conscience come from, all of a sudden?

He appears to want to make it look as if he has acted out of decency, however, given his record, that seems highly unlikely to me. 
And, there is already talk of the much derided plans costing disabled people so much money, being withdrawn under howls of protest from Tory back benchers. Why would he not wait to see if Osborne withdraws the plans?

If Osborne does withdraw the plans, his resignation will have been a waste.

The question is, if Osborne is refuses to withdraw these plans, who on Earth will they find  to be SoS that is even more heartless than IDS?

Patel or Grayling are my guess. Nastiness personified, both of them.

But IDS is a big beast in the Tory Party. An ex leader (albeit disastrous one), and a leading light in the Brexit campaign, with hopes for a bright future under Boris.

So we have to ask "Is this politics"?  A chance to embarrass Gideot and his boss at the same time?

Oh how complex Westminster can be.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter: "IDS resignation may be more about EU than his conscience - but he has struck a fatal blow to #PIP cuts and that's a good thing." (ex BBC)
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Sorry, I keep adding stuff to this page as it comes in.

This is worth a read. The Tories are in meltdown. Robert Peston is getting inside information from Downing Street.

39 comments:

  1. Maybe their internal polling is showing a likelihood of a Brexit win. When Call Me Dave resigns its the Gideon versus Boris show, and he is taking sides ahead of the battle.

    I must say I have never taken a shine to the chap. His CV is somewhat suspect, and he reminds me of one of those salesmen who are clueless about the product they purport to be selling.

    Saor Alba

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suspect that it is tactics. He's never felt the need to stand up against the Treasury in the past, but then he wasn't at war with the Chancellor before.

      I've always thought he was somewhere between a (bad) joke and the Grim Reaper. I can say heartily the he has always struck me as totally insupportable.

      Delete
  2. God help us if Patel gets the job. She'll make IDS look like the Great Benefactor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On mature reflection, both Patel and Grayling are on the opposite side to Cameron... They won't get promoted.

      So who?

      Delete
  3. tris

    We all in the republic should accept IDS resignation gracefully as an example
    of political ideology being imposed as economics and taken one step to far
    even for IDS.

    And now using his new found respectability to expose the Torys even more as right wing
    zealots who care not a jot for their fellow citizens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, yes, I guess we should.

      But then you think London, Tories, IDS, Gidiot, Europe, factions... and you really can't help but conclude that there's 'dirty work at the crossroads', as my father was wont to say.

      Delete
  4. Au Revoir, Adieu or simply Just Fuck Off and don't come back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suspect he will come back to haunt Cameron. If he does, it will be the first useful thing he's done.

      Delete
  5. Bugger

    Really though ! strictly against the Republics T&Cs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well yes, Niko. Strictly speaking you're right.

      But firstly Bugger lives in France and, well, what can you say? It rubs off on you!

      And of course, secondly, the subject is the most hated man in the UK.

      We'll turn a blind eye to the carefully used expletives in this case.

      Agreed?

      :)

      Delete
    2. Apropos Bugger

      Umm ! Ok then


      Delete
  6. Who to believe, hmmm. IDS was worthy of the sack, as indeed are the whole neo liberal pack of them. Wake up England.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, Golfie, even if you are one of the neo libs and don't mind the nasty cruelty he inflicted, he was inefficient and wasted hundreds of millions of pounds on his strategies.

      He should have been sacked, and indeed Cameron wanted to transfer him to another job in his reshuffle, but he refused to go.

      When a minister refuses to go you can bet your life that either the prime minister is weak in general terms, or there is a specific reason for bowing to the wishes of the minister.

      I have always thought that, as a leader, IDS would have had access to the Whips little black books. He knows a thing or two! That's probably why he wasn't sacked.

      Delete
  7. Going by his track record, he's not found a conscience, political manoeuvring of some sort. It maybe Brexit is on the cards, and he is looking at ways to keep his snout, firmly embedded, in the trough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm guessing it is something to do with that.

      He has embarrassed Cameron and Osborne. I'm thinking he must be pretty sure he will have a job with Boris. maybe a top job. Home Sec, Chancellor, Foreign Sec... if there is a Brexit.

      I'd never imagine for a second that he would do it out of honour.

      Delete
  8. Just added this to an article over on wings but think it might be just as appropriate here.



    Yes I know it is before mid day on a Saturday but YES I have taken my meds so it’s O.K.

    I think (hence sentence above 😀 ) that Iain Drunken Spliff has really resigned so that he can spend more time with his *ahem* family … CARLSBERG and CANNIBIS! 😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it's not a bad as his nemesis's family where things go better with coke!

      I see IDS's replacement is Euro INNER, Stephen Crabb, until today teh Wales Secretary.

      Like IDS, he is a committed Christian. So at least the torture is unlikely to get any worse.

      Delete
    2. I'll bet a certain Pretty lady is gathering her ire together to become extremely upset then Tris. No doubt she thought she'd be a "shoe-in" for the top job despite being an E.U. out supporter. LOL

      Delete
    3. My first thought was that she would get it, but then I thought about how she stood on Europe... then I thought Slaphead Grayling... ooooops Europe. Frankly I've never heard of Crabbie.

      I dare say that will change now.

      Delete
  9. tris and other IDS Gloaters

    Obviously since IDS has voluntarily left his job he will now be hit with a one
    Month suspension just wish I could be there at IDS interview with his job coach

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IDS gloaters?

      Who?

      Us?

      Shurely shome mishtake there Niko.

      We would NEVER dream of gloating over someone jacking their job in. :D

      I really am surprised that you could even think that about us! :D

      Delete
    2. Actually he'll probably be hit with a big bonus for taking a drop in salary to £75,000.

      How will he manage?

      Delete
  10. Isn't politics wonderful one day IDS the darling of Cameron's mates couldn't do
    Anything wrong great man of welfare state reform .....
    24 hrs or less now he is a self seeking eu hating tosser

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For me, he was always that.. and many other things.

      His disappearance is, at least for now, a great pleasure to me.

      And I look forward to some bodies being dug up now that he and Cameron are at war.

      Delete
  11. As others have said this has heehaw to do with IDS having a conscience. It's a power play within the Tories. And IDS has just declared he aint going to be backing Gideon to replace Davie boy when he goes. My bet is that Boris is behind the whole thing and if there is a brexit, the night of the long knives will seem like s kiddies tea party. Now off to read Robert Peston's views.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just when they thought that they would beat Labour every time with Corbyn as leader and warfare breaking out in the ranks... along come the Tories old enemy, or friend...Foreigners!

      Ho Hum

      I bet Peston has updated. I'm off to look too.

      Delete
    2. O/T What happened with Tom Bradby? Moved to newsreader and replaced by ITVs answer to Nick Robinson. Peston's a clown.

      Delete
    3. Was he the one that criticised Israel or something?

      Not allowed.

      Delete
  12. Tris

    I agree with you, this is strategic. IDS doesn't give a shit about the disabled or the poor. I think the polls are telling them that brexit might be closer than they are letting on, I personally think it's too close to call on the EU Referendum and this could be IDS preparing for life after Cameron. Cameron loses and both Osbourne and Cameron are out on their arse with good old not as thick as he looks Boris in as PM. IDS as chancellor maybe, who knows as a lot of things can happen but he is not doing this out of concern for the poor.

    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree. And I do think Boris is brighter than he looks, or acts, but he's a buffoon, and he will always be regarded as such. But, as i don;t care a stuff for the UK, why would I care if people laugh their backsides off at it. I do!

      Delete
  13. The Orange Tories are all but gone, the Red Tories are quickly disappearing and now the Blue Tories are tearing themselves apart. What's not to like?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I'd paid for the best seats now. It's a wonderful show.

      Delete
  14. I'll apologise in advance for the language.....

    I'm glad the bastard has gone, and in the process he has truly f***ed Gideon's chances of becoming PM.

    My personal view is that Boris is behind this. Let us remember that all politicians never, ever trust each other unless they can benefit from it.

    I'll rephrase that slightly - most if not all politicians. And I firmly include the SNP in that. There may be a unified front, but if anyone believes that they are all happy people behind closed doors, then they are in dire need of medication.

    Seriously, this has got to be a shock for Cameron. The Budget was never going to be accepted and the signs of a u-turn were already visible. Now the damage control experts are out but I think this incident shows just how little respect many Tories have for the Eton brigade.

    zog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. Gidiot gone (he must be fizzing, and it must be the first useful thing that IDS has ever done).

      Now, if we have to be ruled by a pile of Tory toffs, I'd rather it would be Boris. He,a t least, is a laugh.

      He might be... no, will be, a total disaster as a PM, but who cares. So would Gidiot. At least this way we'll get a laugh while he ruins the place and make the UK an even larger laughing stock..

      Delete
  15. Tris,

    @March 19, 2016 9:49 pm

    Please please take your medication!

    You know it is not healthy to be a laughing stock! You know you just have to reject those that think it is and take your meds!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think the third sentence in para 3 of his letter gives the lie to all the guff he spouted trying to make himself seem human rather than one of the vile uncaring undead.
    Seems he took the huff (boohoohoo) because he was not allowed to screw over state pensioners who also have a private pension (thus taking them into income tax range). Many folk in this position get no state benfits anyway

    So what could he attack? I have fairly long list of possibilities but I am keeping them to myself - I don't want to give them any new ideas they may not have thought of.
    Be thankful we now have got shot of one of the vile undead, time now to get after the rest them and start living like a civilised society again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can;t seriously think, Charles, that anyone could conceivably consider him even half human.

      I believe he enjoyed every minute of it.

      Delete