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As news of the resignation of ex-development minister Anneliese Dodds broke, Sky News political editor Beth Rigby was recording her “Electoral Dysfunction” podcast with Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson.

The full podcast was released on Friday, but both Harman and Davidson seemed to think the departure of Dodds was nothing major for Sir Keir Starmer.

Harman said the departure was “very characteristic” of Dodds – and praised her as “thoroughly principled and decent”.

She added that rather than resigning, she would have liked to see Dodds stay in government and try to “refocus what is left of the development agenda”.

But she concluded: “I’m really disappointed that she’s felt she’s had to resign.

“But I think that the truth is that there is such coherence in the cabinet, and Keir Starmer’s political management of the cabinet is so absolutely functional and strong that, although I don’t want to take away from Anneliese on this, actually it won’t make any difference to that.”

Davidson was a bit more frank – not a shock from a Conservative – about the departure.

She said Dodds was in a “completely uncredible” position and would have struggled to maintain relationships with organisations the FCDO was working with.

Davidson added: “She was brought in…in [Starmer’s] first iteration of shadow cabinet, when he was first elected as leader. 

“She was going to be the first female chancellor of the UK. She was the shadow chancellor. She followed John McDonnell. 

“She lasted a year before he fired her. 

“He then gave her the job of being the party chairman. 

“She ran this amazing election campaign, they had this amazing majority. He fired her the very next day and made her a junior minister, and then he gutted her budget. 

“She had nowhere else to go.”

Labour left agree with Dodds’ resignation

Those on the left of the Labour Party are backing ex-development minister Anneliese Dodds for her decision to resign as a minister.

This is not surprising, as many in that faction oppose military action and want to see more spent on helping poorer countries.

Veteran MP Diane Abbott said: “International Development minister resigns over massive cuts in aid to pay for war. Shameful other members of the cabinet have not done the same.”

And Labour MP Barry Gardiner said: “Hats off to Anneliese Dodds she entered office to create ‘a world free from poverty on a liveable planet’.

“She has remained true to that vision. The Labour Party must too.”

Even Conservatives split on Dodds resignation

It’s not just the Labour Party who are split on the topic of international aid.

Former development minister Anneliese Dodds has just resigned from her role over the cuts announced to her department earlier this week.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backed the prime minister’s move at the time, and has reiterated her support.

She said:”I disagree with the PM on many things BUT on reducing the foreign aid budget to fund UK defence? He’s absolutely right.

“He may not be able to convince the ministers in his own cabinet, but on this subject, I will back him.

“National interest always comes first.”

Andrew Mitchell, a Tory backbencher and former secretary of state for international development – when it was still its own department – is of the opposite opinion.

He said: “Anneliese Dodds has done the right thing: Labour’s disgraceful and cynical actions demean the Labour Party’s reputation as they balance the books on the backs of the poorest people in the world. 

“Shame on them and kudos to a politician of decency and principle.”