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 OakeshottPeter Hitchens and Spectator publisher Freddie SayersConservative leader Kemi Badenoch, new owner of The Telegraph and Axel Springer SE CEO Mathias Döpfner, The Telegraph’s Ed CummingSpectator Political Editor Tim ShipmanSky News’ Jon Craig, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the BBC’s Nick Robinson The Spectator’s John Power and Reform UK Director of Communications Ed SumnerShadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith and Editor of The Spectator Michael GoveGuests enjoy the summer partyBroadcaster Piers MorganFormer Chief of Staff to Sir Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney Smoked salmon blinis were provided by Forman & FieldShadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho and former Spectator Editor Fraser NelsonSecretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander and Politico’s Anne McElvoyBroadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, broadcaster Kate Garraway and journalist Liam Halligan Historian Tom HollandJournalist Giles Coren and Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott Actress Sophie WinklemanSpectator Deputy Political Editor James HealeArtist Grayson PerryBroadcasters Rachel Johnson and Amol RajanSpectator Political Correspondent Noa HoffmanRestore leader Rupert LoweBroadcasters Vanessa Feltz and Chris MasonShadow Home Secretary Chris PhilpLabour Minister Hamish Falconer, journalist Patrick Maguire and pollster Luke TryllSpectator Economics Editor Michael Simmons and Head of TV Natasha Feroze Times Radio’s Ayesha Hazarika and Labour’s Baroness Luciana BergerLabour advisor Mark Mcvitie, Tory advisor Caspar Michie and The Spectator’s Tali FraserView of the gardenSun Political Editor Jack Elsom, Conservative MP Katie Lam and Spectator Assistant Editor Madeline GrantReform advisor Dr James OrrBarrister Natasha HausdorffCelia Walden, Vanessa Feltz and Rachel JohnsonSpectator publisher Freddie Sayers and Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner
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