Steerpike

Last week, Labour managed to surprise for a change with the news that Jared O'Mara was to have the whip restored. The MP for Sheffield Hallam had been suspended over a series of misogynistic posts he had made prior to becoming an MP. Others complained that even when he had the whip he had failed to achieve much – never getting round to doing his maiden speech in the Commons. So, Mr S was intrigued to learn that O'Mara is now preparing to do just this – speak in the Commons. In an interview with ITV's Joe Pike, O'Mara says he will make his maiden speech late this month – after 13 months of being an MP. Popcorn at the ready.

Theresa May's nightmare Monday morning is going from bad to worse. Steve Baker, who followed David Davis out of the exit door at the Brexit department, has savaged the Prime Minister's Chequers plan on the Daily Politics. When asked whether the Brexit blueprint was delivering Brexit in name only, he had this to say: 'The problem with this particular Brexit is that it will not allow us to have proper control over what goes on in the United Kingdom. We need to get out from treaty obligations that automatically oblige parliament to accept any particular rules and instead be in a position where what we do it is a matter for us.' So why didn't Baker speak out sooner?

Although Moggmentum has been building for some time among the Tory grassroots, conventional wisdom dictates that Jacob Rees-Mogg is still very unlikely to make it to No 10 – no matter how enthusiastic the members – thanks to the fact that he doesn't have the support of enough Tory MPs to get onto the ballot paper in the first place. However, is a change a coming? Mr S only asks after Theresa May's soft Brexit proposal appeared to get a number of Tory MPs wondering who would do a better job. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Andrew Bridgen – the outspoken Brexiteer and member of the European Research Group – says that the Chequers meeting saw Cabinet Brexiteers sell out.

Theresa May has come under some pressure these last few weeks over her plan for Britain's post Brexit trade relationship. Both wings of her party have aggressively pitched their preferred version. Today it's crunch time as the Cabinet head to Chequers to thrash out a position. But has the most convincing argument for the Brexiteer side only just aired? With rumours circling that May is to pitch a soft Brexit, Nigel Farage has threatened a comeback. The former Ukip leader has warned that he will have 'no choice' but to return to frontline politics if Brexit is delayed past March 2019. https://twitter.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1014591285926166528 Will the threat of a Brexit betrayal party be enough to sway Theresa May against a soft Brexit?

With just two days to go until Theresa May's big Chequers away day, the Cabinet headed to 22 Old Queen for a pre-sesh. Theresa May held court in the garden while Michael Gove charmed guests on the merits of getting rid of tusk – ivory, not the EU leader naturally. Given that this was no normal Spectator summer party – instead the Spectator's 190th birthday party – guests were in such a merry mood that even the odd speck of rain failed to dampen proceedings. Here are a range of photos from the bash, courtesy of Alan Davidson and Anne Schwarz: [caption id="attachment_10115402" align="alignnone" width="520"] Jess Phillips.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10115392" align="alignnone" width="520"] Michael Gove.

Tonight England faces Colombia in a crunch World Cup match that could see Harry Kane's team put on the path to success – or cruelly eliminated from the tournament. So, to get viewers in the mood, Mr S thought it was time to announce the winners of Steerpike's Brexit football chant competition. After sifting through the entries, here are the three top entries – from across the spectrum of Brexit sentiments. Don't forget to chant them tonight: Mine eyes have seen the glory of a life that's Euro-free, No more rules and regulations, no more siege mentality. We've finally blown the whistle on the Brussells referee And this is why we sing, We're not in Europe, We are England. We're not in Europe, We are England.