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Iain Duncan Smith slams Osborne and Cameron: 'this is not the way to do government' - live Iain Duncan Smith slams Osborne and Cameron: 'this is not the way to do government' - live
(35 minutes later)
10.55am GMT
10:55
Jenkin: Downing Street 'deeply insincere'
Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, a key ally of IDS and fellow Eurosceptic, has been on Sky News in the last hour speaking to Dermot Murnaghan’s show.
He’s being filmed in a leafy garden, which he says are the ground of his mother-in-law’s house.
.@bernardjenkin - Gov "deliberately trying to fog atmosphere" over perplexed IDS resignation comments #Murnaghan https://t.co/CrtjXBcJtJ
“She does not need to receive a £200 winter fuel allowance,” Jenkin said, but he claims Duncan Smith had always been denied any suggestion that he could start reining back benefits for better-off pensioners. The cuts had to bear on working people and families, including the disabled, Jenkin said.
Frankly, for the government to say ‘oh we’re so perplexed, we don’t know why he resigned.... They are deliberately trying to fog the atmosphere.
Jenkin said it was “deeply insincere” and said the key point was how revealing the row had been about the way Downing Street operates.
They have taken the same playbook as Brown and Blair. Everything is dictated from the top for short term political advantage. This cannot go on.
We need to reset how Whitehall operates. The prime minister is supposed to be primus inter pares [first among equals] not a dictator. The Chancellor should not control individual departments. And Iain is not the only minister who has got hugely frustrated.
What a bunch of lefties the Tory right appear to be. Hmm #Murnaghan
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at 11.02am GMT
10.42am GMT
10:42
MP Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee, the influential Conservative backbenchers group, is up next on Pienaar’s Politics.
He is in politics for his beliefs and convictions and my inclination when he says something and gives his reasons is believe what he is saying. I think people often underestimate just how difficult it is for someone to come to this kind of decision.
Brady, an Out-er, says that Altmann is “wrong” about IDS’ motivation.
The worst thing you can do is impune somebody else’s motives for what they are doing and what they are saying. We are all involved in this because we have strong beliefs and are passionate about our country.
I would caution colleagues and senior advisers in government just to reflect on the damage that can be done.
He said briefings about IDS’ ulterior motivations are “very unwise and will make it harder to pull the party back together after the referendum.”
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at 10.44am GMT
10.33am GMT
10:33
Priti Patel, the employment minister and a fellow leading eurosceptic close to IDS, is now on the line on Pienaar’s Politics. She has phoned in to contradict Ros Altmann’s analysis, despite the fact they are still supposedly ministers in the same department.
She is very keen to lend her support to her former boss, though she will directly support what IDS’ said in his interview about the welfare cap, which he called “arbitrary” and unfair.
“That’s a matter for Iain,” she said, but says that IDS’ interview on Marr was done with “great dignity”.
“I don’t speculate about future leadership, we are a very strong party in government and we all work to deliver security and opportunity for the people of Britain,” she said.
Iain has spoken very passionately today with great conviction and dignity in terms of making his case.
10.23am GMT10.23am GMT
10:2310:23
Ros Altmann, the pensions minsiter who made that extraordinary statement attacking IDS has been speaking to John Pienaar’s show on Radio 5Live.Ros Altmann, the pensions minsiter who made that extraordinary statement attacking IDS has been speaking to John Pienaar’s show on Radio 5Live.
Altmann claims the resignation had been planned for weeks: “This was coming... this has to be about Europe not the policy.”Altmann claims the resignation had been planned for weeks: “This was coming... this has to be about Europe not the policy.”
There is absolutely no love lost here. She claims to have been effectively silenced by IDS, unable to speak her mind, tweet or update her consumer rights’ blog.There is absolutely no love lost here. She claims to have been effectively silenced by IDS, unable to speak her mind, tweet or update her consumer rights’ blog.
Ros Altmann on Pienaar brands IDS resignation "disingenuous" + thinks he planned it to damage the government. "This has to be about Europe"Ros Altmann on Pienaar brands IDS resignation "disingenuous" + thinks he planned it to damage the government. "This has to be about Europe"
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at 10.25am GMTat 10.25am GMT
10.19am GMT10.19am GMT
10:1910:19
IDS assessment of George Osborne is even more astonishing when you see it written down. pic.twitter.com/ZnN0BQdtQqIDS assessment of George Osborne is even more astonishing when you see it written down. pic.twitter.com/ZnN0BQdtQq
10.16am GMT10.16am GMT
10:1610:16
Owen Smith, Labour’s shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, offers his view on the Iain Duncan Smith’s interview on the Andrew Marr show. He says the Conservative Party is “tearing itself apart over an unfair Budget” and that Osborne should resign.Owen Smith, Labour’s shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, offers his view on the Iain Duncan Smith’s interview on the Andrew Marr show. He says the Conservative Party is “tearing itself apart over an unfair Budget” and that Osborne should resign.
“No-one will believe Iain Duncan Smith’s sudden change of heart,” he said.“No-one will believe Iain Duncan Smith’s sudden change of heart,” he said.
After all this is the man who introduced the Bedroom Tax. But what his comments do reveal is growing anger within the Conservative Party about George Osborne’s management of the economy.After all this is the man who introduced the Bedroom Tax. But what his comments do reveal is growing anger within the Conservative Party about George Osborne’s management of the economy.
The Chancellor’s unfair Budget is falling apart at the seams. George Osborne now needs to urgently clarify whether these cuts to disability benefits will go ahead and, if not, how he will make up for the huge hole in his Budget.The Chancellor’s unfair Budget is falling apart at the seams. George Osborne now needs to urgently clarify whether these cuts to disability benefits will go ahead and, if not, how he will make up for the huge hole in his Budget.
Jeremy Corbyn is right. Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation is a symptom of a wider problem made at the Treasury.Jeremy Corbyn is right. Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation is a symptom of a wider problem made at the Treasury.
George Osborne should take responsibility and resign. He has failed his party, failed the economy and failed our country.George Osborne should take responsibility and resign. He has failed his party, failed the economy and failed our country.
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at 10.17am GMTat 10.17am GMT
10.15am GMT10.15am GMT
10:1510:15
Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, is speaking on Murnaghan now.Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, is speaking on Murnaghan now.
He says politicians must remember that “amongst the political intrigue” hundreds and thousands of disabled people are worried about the future, and calls on Stephen Crabb, the new secretary of state, to cancel the new criteria for PIP.He says politicians must remember that “amongst the political intrigue” hundreds and thousands of disabled people are worried about the future, and calls on Stephen Crabb, the new secretary of state, to cancel the new criteria for PIP.
“The new villain of the piece is emerging,” Burnham said, referring to Osborne. “He has reduced people to fear and nervous exhaustion. He has made arbitrary cuts to benefits that even IDS couldn’t support. They play politics with the lives of vulnerable people.”“The new villain of the piece is emerging,” Burnham said, referring to Osborne. “He has reduced people to fear and nervous exhaustion. He has made arbitrary cuts to benefits that even IDS couldn’t support. They play politics with the lives of vulnerable people.”
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at 10.15am GMTat 10.15am GMT
10.09am GMT10.09am GMT
10:0910:09
Amber Rudd: 'To launch this bombshell... is really disappointing'Amber Rudd: 'To launch this bombshell... is really disappointing'
Amber Rudd, the secretary of state for Energy and Climate Change, is speaking on Sky News’ Murnaghan about IDS’ resignation.Amber Rudd, the secretary of state for Energy and Climate Change, is speaking on Sky News’ Murnaghan about IDS’ resignation.
I don’t really understand it, I am perplexed but I have sat at cabinet with him every week, and then to launch this bombshell at the rest of us, it is difficult to understand and is really disappointing.I don’t really understand it, I am perplexed but I have sat at cabinet with him every week, and then to launch this bombshell at the rest of us, it is difficult to understand and is really disappointing.
She said she resents his “high moral tone” on one nation Conservatism. “We are a team as a government and he has broken ranks with that team which is upsetting.”She said she resents his “high moral tone” on one nation Conservatism. “We are a team as a government and he has broken ranks with that team which is upsetting.”
He has now “created a bit more time on his hands” to work on getting Britain out of the EU, Rudd said. Number 10 is very keen to push this line.He has now “created a bit more time on his hands” to work on getting Britain out of the EU, Rudd said. Number 10 is very keen to push this line.
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at 10.12am GMTat 10.12am GMT
10.05am GMT10.05am GMT
10:0510:05
Anushka AsthanaAnushka Asthana
Here’s the Guardian’s political editor’s first take on that dramatic interview.Here’s the Guardian’s political editor’s first take on that dramatic interview.
Iain Duncan Smith spent five years in opposition drawing up plans to overhaul welfare; Universal Credit was the entire basis of his decision to co-found the Centre for Social Justice think-tank.Iain Duncan Smith spent five years in opposition drawing up plans to overhaul welfare; Universal Credit was the entire basis of his decision to co-found the Centre for Social Justice think-tank.
His key argument today is that his desire to roll out those reforms was the only reason that he entered Government - an ambition to drive a “social justice” agenda that would help people into work.His key argument today is that his desire to roll out those reforms was the only reason that he entered Government - an ambition to drive a “social justice” agenda that would help people into work.
What he hadn’t realised was going to happen was the 2008 financial crash that would devastate the economic landscape in which he would enter the Department for Work and Pensions.What he hadn’t realised was going to happen was the 2008 financial crash that would devastate the economic landscape in which he would enter the Department for Work and Pensions.
Duncan Smith said he knew that Government would require “compromise” but he wanted to do it in order to try to deliver his plans.Duncan Smith said he knew that Government would require “compromise” but he wanted to do it in order to try to deliver his plans.
Doing so under the cloak of austerity meant that welfare cuts became the overriding narrative, while Universal Credit was more seen as a huge, at time inefficient reform, which had its deadline pushed further and further back.Doing so under the cloak of austerity meant that welfare cuts became the overriding narrative, while Universal Credit was more seen as a huge, at time inefficient reform, which had its deadline pushed further and further back.
Duncan Smith says he could take the austerity agenda, but admitted that he was constantly under fire from the Treasury.Duncan Smith says he could take the austerity agenda, but admitted that he was constantly under fire from the Treasury.
Despite his warm words for the Prime Minister and Chancellor, his key argument he made this morning was that the Conservatives were this morning is damning: to suggest that the leadership went brutally after welfare because the working poor were not a group that had or ever would vote Tory.Despite his warm words for the Prime Minister and Chancellor, his key argument he made this morning was that the Conservatives were this morning is damning: to suggest that the leadership went brutally after welfare because the working poor were not a group that had or ever would vote Tory.
Critics of Duncan Smith would ask why he then accepted the scale of cutbacks for six years before stepping away. Disability reforms, he said, were the straw that broke the camel’s back.Critics of Duncan Smith would ask why he then accepted the scale of cutbacks for six years before stepping away. Disability reforms, he said, were the straw that broke the camel’s back.
He said he had supported policies to help pensioners like the triple lock, but enough was enough. The warning now is that there is a risk that Government policy is drifting in a discretion that “divides society rather than unites it”.He said he had supported policies to help pensioners like the triple lock, but enough was enough. The warning now is that there is a risk that Government policy is drifting in a discretion that “divides society rather than unites it”.
Which, however much he tried to avoid attacking his party, is a highly critical point.It shines a light on the way that the Treasury has pitted the welfare bill against other departmental spending - because one thing is true: it is very popular to cut benefits.Which, however much he tried to avoid attacking his party, is a highly critical point.It shines a light on the way that the Treasury has pitted the welfare bill against other departmental spending - because one thing is true: it is very popular to cut benefits.
Labour has struggled itself with how to respond because the polling is so stark.Duncan Smith’s parting shot is to say the time has come for politics to rise above populism - and stop hurting the most vulnerable, just because it is easy to do so.Labour has struggled itself with how to respond because the polling is so stark.Duncan Smith’s parting shot is to say the time has come for politics to rise above populism - and stop hurting the most vulnerable, just because it is easy to do so.
For that he will be commended. But for campaigners who viciously opposed policies like the bedroom tax - it may feel like too little too late.As for George Osborne’s leadership hopes - Duncan Smith didn’t need to put the knife in on the Andrew Marr show - the entire resignation has done that, reducing Osborne’s chances dramatically.For that he will be commended. But for campaigners who viciously opposed policies like the bedroom tax - it may feel like too little too late.As for George Osborne’s leadership hopes - Duncan Smith didn’t need to put the knife in on the Andrew Marr show - the entire resignation has done that, reducing Osborne’s chances dramatically.
David Cameron is trying to protect his closest colleague and friend by making sure that it is number 10 reacting to Duncan Smith’s decision. But the Treasury team will now also be desperately trying to find ways to shore up their boss’s position.David Cameron is trying to protect his closest colleague and friend by making sure that it is number 10 reacting to Duncan Smith’s decision. But the Treasury team will now also be desperately trying to find ways to shore up their boss’s position.
10.04am GMT10.04am GMT
10:0410:04
Some of the rapid reaction on social media on what must surely rank as one of the most explosive political interviews in recent history.Some of the rapid reaction on social media on what must surely rank as one of the most explosive political interviews in recent history.
That was simply amazing. I can't remember a more dramatic political interview on television for years #marrThat was simply amazing. I can't remember a more dramatic political interview on television for years #marr
Blimey. IDS tells #marr government only cares about people who vote for them, are attacking the vulnerable and risk dividing the country...Blimey. IDS tells #marr government only cares about people who vote for them, are attacking the vulnerable and risk dividing the country...
The whole of Osborne and Cameron's political mission since 2010, focus on eliminating the deficit, attacked by IDS. Extraordinary. #marrThe whole of Osborne and Cameron's political mission since 2010, focus on eliminating the deficit, attacked by IDS. Extraordinary. #marr
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at 10.18am GMTat 10.18am GMT
9.57am GMT9.57am GMT
09:5709:57
IDS has finished his interview, reiterating he would vote for David Cameron to remain PM if there was a leadership election tomorrow.IDS has finished his interview, reiterating he would vote for David Cameron to remain PM if there was a leadership election tomorrow.
9.53am GMT9.53am GMT
09:5309:53
IDS insists his resignation is not personal attacks against Osborne.IDS insists his resignation is not personal attacks against Osborne.
Would George Osborne make a good prime minister? “I would hope he would,” he said.Would George Osborne make a good prime minister? “I would hope he would,” he said.
He calls talk of a coup “piffle”.He calls talk of a coup “piffle”.
I have a high regard for the prime minister. I would not stand for leader or support someone who could stand for leader now.I have a high regard for the prime minister. I would not stand for leader or support someone who could stand for leader now.
“It is not easy, it is painful to resign,” he said. “I am not in the business of morality, but the risk is there and I want to change that. I would rather campaign to change that.”“It is not easy, it is painful to resign,” he said. “I am not in the business of morality, but the risk is there and I want to change that. I would rather campaign to change that.”
I care for one thing and one thing only...that the people who don’t get the choices my children get are not left behind.I care for one thing and one thing only...that the people who don’t get the choices my children get are not left behind.
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at 10.01am GMTat 10.01am GMT
9.51am GMT9.51am GMT
09:5109:51
IDS: 'I have absolutely no personal ambitions'IDS: 'I have absolutely no personal ambitions'
IDS said he understood the “need to eradicate the deficit because the people who suffer most people are people on lowest incomes.”IDS said he understood the “need to eradicate the deficit because the people who suffer most people are people on lowest incomes.”
But he said the government had to “widen the scope” in the ways in which it tried to get the deficit down, not just by targeting working age benefits.But he said the government had to “widen the scope” in the ways in which it tried to get the deficit down, not just by targeting working age benefits.
He suggested the working age benefits were targeted because “it doesn’t matter because [people on benefits] don’t vote for us. But they are people, people who I want to help get into work.”He suggested the working age benefits were targeted because “it doesn’t matter because [people on benefits] don’t vote for us. But they are people, people who I want to help get into work.”
“I have absolutely no personal ambitions. If I never go back into government I won’t cry about that.”“I have absolutely no personal ambitions. If I never go back into government I won’t cry about that.”
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at 10.12am GMTat 10.12am GMT