Express & Star

Conservative Party conference: Chief Whip Gavin Williamson buoyed by unity

The Government's Chief Whip says the Tory Party conference has proved there is 'an enormous degree of unity' within the party as he laid the boot into Labour's obsession with 'seeking out Socialist ideological purity'.

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Gavin Williamson hit back over claims of a deepening rift within the Conservative Party, and claimed that MPs with 'differing opinions' were committed to rallying behind the Prime Minister.

Speaking exclusively to the E&S, South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson said: "There has been a difference of opinion about some issues, but overall there has been an enormous degree of unity.

"Frankly Labour must look at our party conference and wish theirs had been half as good.

"We accept differences of opinion and discuss them, while Labour seems more interested in seeking out socialist ideological purity, rather than developing policy that benefits everyone."

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Mr Williamson, who was promoted to lead the whips' office by Theresa May, also gave an insight into his 'unique' role at the conference, which draws to a close today.

"My task is to make sure we have people covering all of the fringe meetings away from the main conference hall, in case anything is bubbling up," Mr Williamson said, referring to his team of special advisors, who know him simply as 'chief'.

"Of course I report to the Prime Minister if there are any areas of concern. Although there has been a lot of discussion about boundary changes and Brexit, there has been a real sense that as a party we are pulling together."

Mr Williamson hailed the conference as a major success for the party, but admitted it had been ruined on a personal level from the moment he found out he was due to give a speech in the main hall.

"It's not something I'm looking forward to," said Mr Williamson.

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