This week’s political stramash has centered on education and it gave the Rt. Hon. Gavin Willamson CBE MP, the current Secretary of State for Education, the opportunity to remind us all that he is a former Chief Whip. He likes to do this from time-to-time despite the fact his period in that role was a scant 16 months. No matter. This week’s reminder was a graphic one. A real whip and a ‘little red book’ were front and centre on his desk at the Department of Education in a picture that spoke a 1,000 words. A school cane might have been more fitting.
But this commentary isn’t about education nor Mr Williamson or his very ‘House of Cards’ view of being a ‘Chief Whip’. Instead it is about parliamentary discipline, the machinery of government and the rapidly closing window of opportunity to ‘get a grip’.
Covid-19 has had a double impact on the workings of government.
Firstly, it has rightly taken up most of the focus, delivering the Herculean effort needed to respond to and defeat this pandemic - it’s easy to find fault and we seem to have an ability to criticize as a nation way beyond other countries - but more has gone right than wrong.
Secondly, and what I’m writing about today, has been the enforced distancing so soon after the December General Election which has meant that the Conservative Parliamentary Party is a lot less cohesive, disciplined and engaged (both ways) with “the executive”.
I would hazard a guess that, despite a paper majority of 80, the Government would find passing contentious votes more difficult than usual, the pre-summer recess noises around Huawei a good example.
Two factors are fueling this .
The 2019 new intake who see themselves as ‘Mini-Mayors’, highly reactive to social media, their collegiate approach is non-existent. Their behaviour and votes are not about the ‘greater good’ but what will play well back at home. Some will argue that it was always thus but I disagree. It’s highly tactical and nations are not built on the back of multiple tactical decisions.
The second factor, and arguably the most damaging, is a prevailing view, growing by the day, that the Cabinet (with few exceptions such as Gove and Sunak) are very much a B-Team. Selected for loyalty rather than ability.
Today’s newspapers report the Downing Street line that the upcoming reshuffle will be on the margins. This would be a mistake. Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus those members of the Cabinet who are ill-suited to high-office. Lacking intellect or management skills or the ability to communicate - sadly, with some, it’s all three. A ‘brain’s trust’ in No 10 or the Cabinet Office is no replacement for a high-performance Cabinet.
It’s time for a proper reshuffle and restoring cohesion and that’s where we go back to “whips”.
I’m not at all convinced that the incumbent Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Mark Spencer MP is up to the task. Yes he’s had whip’s office experience but it feels like he lacks the heft and grip to manage the role. We all enjoy tales of the ‘dark arts of whipping’ but truth be told it’s a mix between being a premier league football manager and a bluechip company HR director. It’s about knowing every member, attending to their pastoral needs, channeling their views, tempering their tendency to become ‘rent-a-quotes’ and delivering candid and confidential advice to the Prime Minister. In many respects it is very much an inner cabinet role.
None of that seems to be happening.
It’s a pivotal role and that makes it the one the Prime Minister should upgrade first. A skillful Chief Whip knows the party, respects and understands Parliament and is able to, under the Prime Minister’s direction, ‘play the deck’ of MPs.
It needs someone who has also served as a minister, who has been a part of the machinery of government and who the Prime Minister trusts and finally, a large parliamentary majority because the ‘oath of silence’ invariably results in a lower media profile.
When I put all that into the mix I end up with the Rt. Hon Chris Pincher MP, former Deputy Chief Whip (so understands the role), consistent supporter of the Prime Minister, current Minister of State at Housing and a former Mnister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Oh and he has a 42% majority.
I’m sure there are other possibilities but when I run the selection that’s the name that comes to the top of my list.
A parliamentary party is only as strong as it’s Chief Whip, it feels like now is the time for an upgrade.
About the Author
Mark was involved in the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party from 1987 - 1998 as member, Parliamentary Researcher, Special Advisor and Parliamentary Candidate (1997). He maintains an interest.