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
Last Sunday, John McDonnell stood in front of communist flags and gave a speech at the May Day rally. Today, the shadow chancellor appeared on the Andrew Marr show to declare that while he was a fan of Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, he was no Marxist. Fast forward two hours, and to the embarrassment of
Oh dear. After a disappointing showing in the local elections on Friday, Jeremy Corbyn needs to win back disillusioned Labour voters who have switched to the Conservatives. So, how’s that going? Well, if Paul Mason’s appearance on Newsnight is anything to go by then not very well at all. The former Channel 4 economics editor
Labour’s dismal showing so far in the local elections was predicted by many. However, the results still appear to have come as a nasty surprise to some former Corbyn cheerleaders. Step forward Caitlin Moran. The columnist has taken to social media to apologise publicly for backing the beleaguered Labour leader: Moran then went on to claim that
Oh dear. It’s not turning out to be a great week for Diane Abbott. On Tuesday, the shadow home secretary found herself in a tight spot after she got her numbers completely wrong when trying to explain Labour’s new police policy, in an interview with LBC. With her party today suffering a disappointing result in the
Poor old Emily Thornberry. Labour is having a torrid time in the local elections and during her appearance on the BBC this morning, things took a turn for the worse for the shadow foreign secretary. Thornberry – who Mr S previously revealed is known as ET by Jeremy Corbyn — was there to try and defend Labour’s
Standing outside Downing Street, Theresa May’s speech was notable for a number of reasons — not just her claim that politicians in Brussels were trying to interfere in the election result. In a sign of how the Tories are trying to turn this snap election into a presidential-style contest, May talked about ‘my local candidates’— rather Conservative candidates.
After Simon Danczuk was barred from standing as the Labour candidate for Rochdale, there have been reports that the Leader’s Office are keen for Corbyn adviser Katy Clark to be put forward for the seat — after she lost out in Leigh. However, now the word on the ground is that Labour want a local candidate over concerns
With Labour predicted a catastrophic election result come June 8, many MPs are resorting to rather desperate tactics in a bid to cling on to their seat. So, Mr S was curious to learn of an encounter a comrade experienced over the weekend. At an address in one of the capital’s marginal constituencies, a canvasser was
Tim Farron has been doing his best to appeal to Remain voters left fed-up at the outcome of last year’s referendum. The only problem? In doing so, he’s angered those on the other side of the debate. Today, on a visit to Kidlington, he got his comeuppance as he came face to face with one such
Oh dear. Although Labour have had a lacklustre campaign so far, things are beginning to look up. While the shadow home secretary might not be able to get her figures right on bobbies, the party is still capable of a good old-fashioned stunt. Today hacks are gathered at a venue in Westminster to hear Philip
If Labour ever does make it to No.10, it’ll be Jeremy Corbyn with his finger on the nuclear button. The Labour leader has been famously wishy-washy on whether he’d retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack. And it seems Corbyn isn’t alone on the Labour frontbench in dithering on the subject. Following his performance
Today George Osborne has begun his new job as the editor of the Evening Standard. Given that the paper’s proprietor previously claimed the former chancellor would provide the real opposition to Theresa May, it should come as no surprise that Osborne has wasted no time in turning his ire on the Prime Minister. In today’s
Is there something in the water today? First Nick Clegg lost his temper on Good Morning Britain, and now Diane Abbott has gone and outdone him with an awkward LBC interview on a policy she is supposed to be advocating. The shadow home secretary has been doing the rounds unveiling Labour’s plans for putting more
After the bank holiday weekend, politicians are back on full campaign mode today — and already we’ve had a contender for ‘most bad-tempered interview’ of the day. Nick Clegg appeared on Good Morning Britain to explain why it’s the Liberal Democrats the public ought to vote for come June 8. However, the interview soon took a
When the snap election was called last month, it presented an opportunity for many keen politicos to try and nab a seat. Self-proclaimed ‘selfie’ queen Karen Danczuk hoped to do exactly this — announcing that she had her sights set on becoming the Labour candidate for Bury North. At the time, Mr S reported that
Oh dear. With Labour currently trailing the Conservatives in the polls, the party looks set for a disastrous showing come June 8. With that in mind, Labour’s top command need to make the most of the opportunities the election campaign offers. So, it was a curious choice of John McDonnell to speak at today’s May Day
Although many of Jeremy Corbyn’s initial celebrity backers have deserted the beleaguered Labour leader in recent months, a few stalwarts remain. Step forward Maxine Peake. The Silk actress has been a long time supporter of Corbyn — previously describing him as ‘our only beacon of hope to get the Labour Party back on track, get the
With the result of the snap election already looking to many like a done deal, can the election taking place across the English channel offer more excitement? That was the question asked at The Spectator‘s ‘French Revolution: Le Pen vs Macron?’ panel debate, at the Royal Geographical Society, this week. While Emmanuel Macron is on
Oh dear. As the only Labour MP left in Scotland, Ian Murray has a fight on his hands come June to retain Edinburgh South. So, luckily he’s got his campaign material out early. Only there’s a problem. Murray’s constituents have been sent a letter detailing why he is planning to stand for re-election. In a bid to impress
Poor old Paul Nuttall. Today was supposed to be a fresh start for Ukip as the party launched its election campaign event in the run-up to June 8. Instead, it’s descended into chaos. A group of protesters from ‘Stand up to racism’ have gatecrashed the launch event, waving banners and shouting and screaming moments before