ONE of the first casualties of Boris’s bloodletting yesterday was Chris Skidmore. Axed as universities minister, the MP for Kingswood (Avon) tweeted: ‘Got a promotion in the reshuffle to be a better dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one . . .’

Got a promotion in the #reshuffle to be a better Dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one….



Thanks everyone who I’ve had the chance to work with and the civil service teams that have supported me- you have all been amazing pic.twitter.com/RdvdMCEl1N — Chris Skidmore (@CSkidmoreUK) February 13, 2020

Skidmore’s loving reference to his baby daughter was a smart way to show stoicism and put a positive spin on his being sacked from government.

He received many heartwarming responses, particularly from women in the sphere of higher education who evidently had dealt with him. They included:

Vivienne Stern, director of Universities UK International:

‘You are right about babies being more important.’

I am really sorry that we are losing you as a Minister. You have been absolutely fantastic and it has been a pleasure working with you. But you are right about babies being more important… — vivienne stern (@viviennestern) February 13, 2020

Ruth Arnold, Public Affairs and Policy – Charity and Education sectors: ‘Twenty years from now it is what she thinks that matters.’

I agree with Vivienne. 20 years from now it is what she thinks that matters. — Ruth Arnold (@RuthArnold) February 13, 2020

Caroline Wright, director general, British Educational Suppliers Association: ‘I think your new job is by far the best anyone could have in the world – enjoy the special times ahead.’

It’s been great working with you Chris. Thanks for all your support for #Edtech – and by the way I think you’re new job is by far the best anyone could have in the world – enjoy the special times ahead ? @besatweet @CSkidmoreUK — Caroline Wright (@CJPWright) February 13, 2020

Nicola Bates, communications director, Portman Group: ‘Well put and she will be far, far more grateful and satisfying than any government job title.’

Well put and she will be far far more grateful and satisfying than any govt job title https://t.co/V2byEe1aPn — Nicola Bates (@Nicola_Bates) February 13, 2020

The sad thing is that had the sacked minister been a female with a young family, they would not have dared suggest, even semi-seriously, that being out of government and devoting more time to her children is a Good Thing.

Also, at a time when even so-called Conservatives obsess over the gender imbalance in politics, it seems highly unlikely that a woman sacked from government would be similarly consoled by her female peers. Feminist principles would surely prohibit the sisterhood from propounding that a woman in Parliament should prioritise parenting over politics, or that the MP’s children might benefit from her devoting more time to be being a mother than a minister.

Skidmore’s announcement that he will spend more time being daddy to his youngest daughter prompted even Jane Merrick, policy editor at the Independent, to reply: ‘A wonderful job, she will thank you for it.’

A wonderful job, she will thank you for it — Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) February 13, 2020

Interesting. Will Jane Merrick or anyone else at the ‘progressive’ Independent now encourage Westminster women to prioritise family over front bench because their children will ‘thank you for it’?

Of course they won’t: the only politicians applauded for spending more time with their families are fired fathers.