Breaking News: Ian Duncan Smith Resigns

[MeadowHay]

www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35848687

Apparently he is concerned about the changes to disability benefits...yeah, right. After what he has done to disability benefit claimants already??

Time for a celebratory drink, anyone?

[cheminotte]

cheers

[ColinFirthsGirth]

What? Are we really meant to believe that he cares?

[tribpot]

Early move in a leadership contest? Surely not.

The one thing it definitely isn't about is the government screwing over disabled people.

[MeadowHay]

You can find his resignation letter here: twitter.com/nickeardleybbc/status/710933401851789314

Might give you a few laughs, although it's hard not to explode with rage...

[MeadowHay]

Speculation that it may, just possibly, have a little more to do with Tory division of the EU than his sudden bleeding heart for the disabled...just maybe...

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

So he's resigned because he's disgusted by the cuts or because he's peeved that they're been re thought. Sorry for not being on the ball. Well, It is Friday night.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

More to do with Brexit I'd imagine.

[0phelia]

Is IDS on the Leave side then?

Cameron non too pleased with him?

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

If it were Jack the lad that gave up his job due to pressure. We all know the first word out of IDS's mouth, don't we. "SANCTION. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[0phelia]

He was most likely forced to resign anyway, ppl like him don't simply resign on principle.

[IthoughtATMwasacashpoint]

First (and largest) rat to leave the sinking ship?

Lying to the very end. I think things are starting to get too hot for Mr Sanction, far too much protest over disability cuts for him to be comfortable

[ElementaryMyDear]

I do like the way he's kicked Osborne in the balls.

[FishWithABicycle]

In other unrelated news, his eminence Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, has resigned after his shock at recently discovering that the Pope is catholic.

[Samcro]

he doesn't care....he said "the disabled"......in his mind they are not even people

[VertigoNun]

I dread to think what the big plan is, as there is one involving a quiet BoJo.

[PenguinsAreAce]

Have you seen this?

Really do not know what to make of the resignation. I do not think it has been about Europe.

His big idea around universal credit has hardly been a success

Also looks like a split between Treasury and DWP.

[Thelwell]

DC response to his resignation letter on front page daily telegraph online. Entertaining!

[Thelwell]

^

DC as in David Cameron

[Tiredemma]

He doesn't care about what the Govt are doing to disabled people- or if he does he about 6 years too late.

This is all about his brexit campaign - to try and convince us otherwise just indicates what fools he takes us all for.

[BungoWomble]

Completely agree. Please don't let anyone be daft enough to believe that the man who laughed when discussing benefit sanctions deaths cares one iota about the British people.

This is an open political power game and nothing more. I don't understand why they've chosen to turn on David Cameron now - I feel quite sorry for him - but clearly there are some internal conflicts within the Tory party and they are bringing on the leadership battle early. It's probably something to do with Europe, but also the battle lines are being drawn and we've just effectively seen two announce themselves as contenders for the new PM. I always had a feeling they wouldn't last the whole term, I sincerely hope this brings on a new general election 'cos the country can't take any more of these power-crazy gits.

If I was disabled right now I would be absolutely fuming at being used in this way by this man. Absolute scum of the earth, him and George Osborne both.

[MeadowHay]

Loved the guardian's headline today, "tories in turmoil", lol. Also Nadine Dorries' tweets about it all. This has been an amusing affair to say the least. Labour are revelling in it all by the looks of things.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Yes and Nadine Dorries also said about IDS. He made me vote for the cuts. Now I'm sorry, but yes I can believe he pressured her, but she's certainly not stupid and knows her own mind. Why didn't she just say to the idiot. "Fuck off I'll vote how I damn well please, arse hole". One minute he's bullying people to kick the sick, mentally ill and disabled. When they're down and next minute. He's developed a sudden attack of conscience. Well that's very noble of you IDS, but. It's too little to late. It won't bring the poor People back who committed suicide due to your wicked sanctions. Fucking prisoners get better thought of than the sick and unemployed.
At least they get 3 square meals a day.
And breathe Ilive.

[Tiredemma]

I loved reading all about the Tory Turmoil yesterday. Of course im not stupid enough to believe that this is solely about his sudden awareness of his moral compass- Its obviously about him concentrating on Brexit- but to have his firing shot delivered into Osbornes temple is just magical. Talk about going out in a blaze of thunder.

[wheelofapps]

IDS is vile and wouldn't recognise an 'attack of conscience' if it shook his hand.

BUT I am delighted at the way he has gone.
Clearly a shock for DC.
And a huge boot in the privates for Osborne.

I'd like Osborne to go next.
He's been a very poor Chancellor as well as a hideously unfair one.

[prh47bridge]

After what he has done to disability benefit claimants already

For the sake of clarity, while IDS was at DWP disability benefit payments increased from around £12 billion a year to around £16 billion a year. The "cuts" have been attempts to slow the rate of increase.