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Spectator summer party 2026, in pictures

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Sir Paul Marshall, owner of The Spectator

The weather is glorious, England have soared through to the World Cup round of 16 and one Sir Keir Starmer has just weeks left as Prime Minister. So where better to celebrate – or commiserate, if you are so inclined – than at The Spectator’s annual summer party? The jamboree remains the most sought-after social ticket of the Westminster summer season, bringing together the most senior politicians, journalists and political aides, alongside the crème de la crème of the arts and media world.

From Kemi Badenoch to Morgan McSweeney, The Spectator garden is filled with notable faces. Mr S noted strong contingents representing the Tories, Labour and Reform. Joining the Conservative leader have been senior Tories Victoria Atkins, Andrew Bowie, Neil O’Brien Richard Holden, James Cleverly and Claire Coutinho. Broadcasters Nick Robinson, Nicky Campbell, Emily Maitlis, Piers Morgan and Jeremy Vine soaked up the atmosphere alongside Grayson Perry, Simon Heffer, Gyles Brandreth and Tom Holland. Reform’s Richard Tice and Lee Anderson enjoyed The Spectator’s selection of cocktails alongside Josh Simons – who resigned his seat to pave way for Andy Burnham, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, minister Josh MacAlister, Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander, Jonathan Hinder and ‘summer of sex’ MP Samantha Niblett.

Photography below by Stuart Mitchell and James Gifford-Mead.

Conservative Party advisor Henry Newman, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, News UK Chief Executive Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie Brooks, of The Spectator
Deputy Leader of Reform UK Richard Tice and his partner, broadcaster Isabel Oakeshott
Peter Hitchens and Spectator publisher Freddie Sayers
Sky News’ Jon Craig, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the BBC’s Nick Robinson
The Spectator’s John Power and Reform UK head of press Ed Sumner
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith and Editor of The Spectator Michael Gove
Guests enjoy the summer party
Broadcaster Piers Morgan
Former Chief of Staff to Sir Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney
Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho and former Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson
Secretary of State for Scotland and Politico’s Anne McElvoy
Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, broadcaster Kate Garraway and journalist Liam Halligan
Historian Tom Holland
Actress Sophie Winkleman
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

This article originally appeared in the UK edition

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