Speaking for the first time at the despatch box is a nerve-wracking experience for any politician. But speaking for the first time at the despatch box while also making your debut as a Secretary of State is enough to give most people cause for an impromptu sick day. Add to that the small matter of a threatened backbench rebellion if you don’t manage to reverse planned cuts to your department and one could be forgiven for feeling a little bit sorry for Gavin Williamson today.
Following weeks of controversy about his surprise promotion, this afternoon the former Chief Whip made his debut as Defence Secretary. In Williamson’s first Defence Questions, Labour’s Kevan Jones began the session by unhelpfully highlighting his lack of experience – welcoming the honourable gentleman to his new post – and ‘to the world of defence’.
However, Williamson put in a solid – if at times repetitive – performance which suggested he was ready to take the fight to Philip Hammond over defence funding.
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