AIBU to be both happy and concerned over IDS resignation

[ChemistryHunt]

Iain Duncan Smith has resigned citing concerns over disability benefit reforms.

I am partly happy.

However feeling concerned over who will replace and thinking if he was concerned over the changes who was putting the current ones through and what will happen now?

[EverySongbirdSays]

IDS has resigned ??? - Awesome!

But yes, who next? The Grim Reaper???

[YouTheCat]

He hasn't resigned because he's concerned. He's resigned because he's crap and the shit's going to hit the fan.

[ChemistryHunt]

It's the reason given that concerns me. Surely from the party point of view they knew people thinks he is ruthless.

So if the party want to make a stand because of public backlash wouldn't it have made more sense for them to get rid of him, blaming him, and not letting a mention go out that he was concerned.

[SaucyJack]

If he's concerned, it's probably only that he's concerned people are still getting any money at all....

I think this can only be a good thing.
I think he was personally the driving force for a lot of bad.

[ChemistryHunt]

I am really hoping this is genuinely good news. Just can't shake that fearful feeling.

[BirthdayBetty]

Convenient he has resigned before the debacle that is Universal Credit (his baby) is rolled out nationally

[ChemistryHunt]

Oh my....... He is going to go for leadership isn't he.

That is why he putting out these statements.

[OrangeNoodle]

I am deeply confused by this.

What's the bet Gove will get this gig next.

[ChemistryHunt]

I smell a coup.

[KielyKiely]

Too little, too late.

[ilovesooty]

That's what I was thinking. Enter Gove.

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

I'm delighted.

He is most certainly not concerned, being the principal architect of the cuts.

I'm guessing scapegoat, sex scandal or UC is about to blow up in his face like a glitter bomb.

[EverySongbirdSays]

He's already had the Leadership - and failed spectacularly at it. Besides everyone knows it's Boris's for the losing. If they elect anyone else, they've lost the next election.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Good. One down...

He's defo doing a leadership bid - now he can leave Gideon looking like the shit he is. Quite a move.

Ha! I'm just re-watching 'Game of Thrones', too.

[ChemistryHunt]

I don't buy his statement for a second, but if he is being pushed I don't see he party letting that statement get out. They could have used him as a scapegoat.

Is he out or in for the referendum, I remember he saying things bad for both sides. Maybe they want an out in the leadership before the referendum? (Obviously not if he is in, I am not sure)

[Hamishandthefoxes]

Political manoeuvring to undermine Osborne snd make it impossible for him to succeed Cameron. And so he can go all out on the anti eu campaign.

[nancy75]

He has already been leader hasn't he? I don't think he will get another go

[Cutecat78]

Sex scandal - he shagged a disabled person and treated them like a normal
member of society.

He's hanging his head in shame

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

I tried to write a semi-cohesive comment about what his plans for the future are but all I can think of is 'Wanker, Wanker, Wanker'

[Dowser]

That's a bit of a shocker.

[lalalalyra]

I'm delighted he's gone - his whooping and hollering last year at the budget cuts was disgusting. However it's unlikely to mean it's going to get better.

If Gove gets in then it's a hideous thought.

It does look like a strategic exit just before UC goes tits up, and also an excellent way of undermining Osborne's attempt to be next leader.

His statement is probably just a way of making sure that his own seat is safe. Can play the "I was involved when it needed done, but I took a stand when it went too far ergo I'm a fab MP and should be voted back in again and again and again."

[Charlesroi]

Well I've been having a crap day and suddenly things look a little brighter.

I reckon he's flounced because he couldn't get the Wheelchair Tax/VAT on guide dogs past the Cabinet.

He's not really in the frame for leader IMO, as he was so shit the last time. Someone may have promised him a job, or there's an impending scandal, or UC is going to be a monumental fuck up.

[ChemistryHunt]

I will be watching who he seems to be palling up with.

I forgot about his previous leadership, but yeah I don't think he would get it again.

I do think he might be helping someone else out though. No way has he decided the recent cuts are wrong. This is the man who stood their cheering whilst announcements went out about taking from the lowest paid.

[coffeeisnectar]

Excellent news. If I was well enough to, I'd do a victory dance.

[ABetaDad1]

His letter of resignation is here.

I agree the Budget benefited rich people, was overtly political and very much ran against the one nation Tory stance IDS has as a basic approach.

The reduction in tax rates for the highest rate tax payers was particularly wasteful and unnecessary. It could have been better spent by raising the personal allowance much higher so that fewer low paid (a category which disabled people often fall into) take more of their wages home and gives everyone an incentive to work rather than rely on benefits.

It was a poorly executed Budget and I have always thought Osborne has missed huge opportunities for genuinely positive reform of tax and benefits even within austerity constraints.

I am a natural Tory voter and currently support Brexit and UKIP and maybe IDS is positioning himself for that too but even here I think he is right to resign. This Cameron/Osborne Govt is not a good one and needs to go.