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
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Although a Queen’s Speech tends to be a joyful occasion for the government in power, today’s has been rather sombre for the Conservatives. Theresa Mays legislative plan for government is rather sparse now that she has binned the majority of the 2017 Tory manifesto. Happily, Kwasi Kwarteng was on hand to cheer downcast MPs in
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Dennis Skinner is no fan of the Monarchy. But he used his traditional quip at today’s Queen Speech to try and do Her Majesty a big favour. The rescheduling of the speech – which had been due to take place on Monday – has made things tricky for the Queen to make it to one
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The new BBC documentary Brexit Means Brexit: The Unofficial Version lifts the lid on what has gone on behind the scenes since EU referendum result last year. While a host of Westminster stalwarts – including Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Anna Soubry – have contributed to the programme, it’s Alan Duncan’s appearance that has caught Mr
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Poor old Ed Miliband. The former Labour leader was once convinced he was destined for Downing Street. Now, he’s hosting discussions about toilets on Radio 2. Standing in for Jeremy Vine, Miliband introduced music, chatted politics – and talked to guests about what types of loos they have. The Labour MP even asked one guest to flush their WC to hear
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There was a time when progressives thought that politics had become too much of an old boys’ club. In the place of ageing male politicians, liberals called for more women and ethnic diversity in politics. However, times are a’changing. After Jeremy Corbyn defied all expectations in the snap election by hoovering up 40 per cent of the vote,
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Although it’s been said that revenge is a dish best served cold, George Osborne seems to take the approach that it is best served daily. Since the former Chancellor left politics to edit the Evening Standard, he has taken great joy in making Theresa May’s day a little bit worse with each issue. Today is
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As formal Brexit negotiations between the UK and EU begin today, there remains much confusion over what Britain’s Brexit strategy actually is. Philip Hammond confused matters further on Sunday when he appeared to undermine the Prime Minister – saying no deal is a very bad option indeed. So, what should the strategy be? Speaking on
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In this week’s issue of The Spectator, Nick Timothy writes exclusively about why the Tory campaign was a failure. Theresa May’s former chief of staff says that nobody in CCHQ was prepared for the exit poll which predicted a hung Parliament. He recounts how Lynton Crosby said the party would ‘do well’ while Jim Messina’s modelling
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Oh dear. Although Conservative MPs are supposed to be rallying around their beleaguered leader as Theresa May attempts to form a minority government, not everyone has received the memo. Step forward Tim Loughton. The Conservative MP – who ran Andrea Leadsom’s short-lived leadership campaign – has taken to social media to vent his frustration that the
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Parliament is back – but already some MPs are bored. One Tory backbencher was snapped glancing at his phone during the opening session in the Commons this afternoon. Yet the picture of the MP watching a clip on his mobile – which was tweeted out by Anna Soubry – raised a bigger question: what on
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Although Theresa May’s premiership is now looking anything but strong and stable, the Prime Minister will be pleased to learn that one MP at least is still sticking to the script. After we learnt this morning that the Queen’s Speech may be delayed as the Government tries desperately to thrash out a deal with the DUP,
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After a dire election performance and the departure of its fourth leader in less than a year, Ukip is in desperate need of a saviour. Step forward David Coburn. The Ukip MEP – who once said running the party would be like ‘herding cats’ – announced this morning that he was planning to make a
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George Osborne has been enjoying himself in the last few days – no more so than on the sofa of the Andrew Marr show this morning. The former Chancellor, who was sacked by Theresa May, revealed for the first time the PM’s parting words to him when she gave him the boot: ‘She said I
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Jeremy Corbyn may have lost the election, but in many peoples’ eyes he’s still the big winner. After the Labour leader surprised pollsters and pundits alike by securing over 40pc of the vote, Corbyn’s position looks more secure than ever. Over the weekend, Mr S understands Corbyn took a well-deserved break from politics and headed to
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So farewell, Nick and Fi. As Theresa May’s once formidable co-chiefs of staff walk out of No 10 for good following the disastrous election result, the Prime Minister has appointed Gavin Barwell as their replacement. If Barwell sounds familiar, that’s because he is the former housing minister who lost his seat in Croydon Central on Thursday.
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When the Prime Minister called the general election, Katie Perrior stood down as No. 10 communications chief. An odd decision: why walk away from such a prestigious job after only nine months? She has never really explained: until now. Writing in the Times, she reveals that her ‘painful’ time in No. 10 was made all the
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There’s not a cabinet minister in sight to fight Theresa May’s corner following a disastrous election result. However, Tory backbenchers are proving more forthcoming. The only issue is they don’t seem to have much nice to say about their leader. After Anna Soubry called on May to consider her position, Heidi Allen has gone one
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Theresa May has suffered a humiliating election result tonight after her big gamble backfired spectacularly. The Prime Minister is now in the midst of trying to form a minority government, with the help of the DUP. So, with Labour all over the airwaves calling on May to step down, surely the Conservatives are busy defending
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The BBC’s footage of Jeremy Corbyn’s arrival at Labour HQ stops at the revolving door. Fear not: Steerpike brings you this exclusive footage of the hero’s welcome he received inside – it’s all a bit May 1997. The Tories are the largest party in Parliament, but Labour has massively exceeded very low expectations. And Corbyn’s
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According to the exit poll, the Conservatives are on not on course for a majority, instead a hung Parliament is predicted. Given that Theresa May called this election to strengthen her hand and increase the Tory majority, her gamble looks to have backfired spectacularly. Now the polls could be wrong but this doesn’t mean May’s
