Steerpike

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

Tuesday

Steerpike

Listen: Labour MP squirms over Corbyn election leaflet photo

Labour MP Sarah Champion was ‘giddy with excitement’ ahead of Jeremy Corbyn’s launch of the party's election campaign this morning. Afterwards, she tweeted to say that the event was ‘stunning’. So it might be a fair bet to assume she’ll be proudly urging voters to back Jeremy Corbyn all the way to Downing Street? Not so. In an awkward interview on the World at One, Champion - who 'unresigned' back to her job on the shadow cabinet after quitting last year - was asked whether Corbyn would be appearing on her election leaflets. Champion’s response was to say that she was planning to but didn't know whether it would actually happen. Here's what she said: ‘Is his photograph on your election literature?

Steerpike

A taste of Brexit Britain? New York Times offers $6,000 Brexit tour of… London

Ever since the referendum result, the New York Times has adopted a decidedly gloomy tone in its Brexit coverage. The American paper even suffered a sense of humour failure when hacks read the Times's parliamentary sketch of an Emmanuel Macron rally as a serious news report -- interpreting it as a sign of British superiority to their European neighbours. https://twitter.com/Ned_Donovan/status/851713535486943232 But is this all about to change? Mr S only asks after the paper unveiled its 'Brexit means Brexit' UK tour, which will 'examine the historic implications of a historic vote'.

Monday

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Lib Dems’ Corbyn attack line backfires

After John McDonnell praised Karl Marx's Das Kapital on Sunday, Jeremy Corbyn today doubled down and described the philosopher as a 'great thinker'. This has led to some light mockery today, with the Liberal Democrats' Tom Brake getting in on the fun -- claiming the Labour leader deserves 'full Marx' for this latest gaffe. But the Lib Dems would do well to take heed from the old adage 'people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'. It turns out that Vince Cable -- the Lib Dem stalwart who is trying to win back his seat in Twickenham -- is also a fan of Marx.

Steerpike

Listen: Vince Cable says he would find it difficult not to vote for Labour MP

Tim Farron has said the Lib Dems won’t be forming a coalition with Labour. But it seems Vince Cable didn’t get the memo. Cable has been taped suggesting that Lib Dem voters should back Rupa Huq, Labour’s candidate in Ealing Central. Here’s what he said: ‘I’ll just give one example - there’s Rupa Huq, who’s the candidate in Ealing. Purely but coincidence I found myself - I think it was on 'Any Questions' or one of those programmes in Warwick a few months ago, and I gave her a lift back home to Ealing. We talked for a couple of hours and it was very clear that on almost every issue our views were almost identical.

Steerpike

Theresa May’s election campaign turns presidential

Last week, Theresa May was accused of trying to turn the Conservative campaign presidential when she stood on the steps of Downing Street and accused Brussels politicians of trying to interfere with the election. Since then, candidates have been pitching themselves as 'Theresa May's candidate' rather than as a Conservative candidate. At a press conference this morning, the tone of the Tory campaign lurched further to that of a US election. Rather than Conservative party banners, the signs read 'Theresa May's team'. With CCHQ staking so much on May's personal brand, Mr S hopes her approval ratings hold out...

Steerpike

Was it Chuka Umunna wot won it for Macron?

Ever since Emmanuel Macron emerged as a frontrunner in the French presidential race, UK politicians have been clamouring to shower praise on the centrist politician while flagging their (undoubtedly) close connections to the man. After Macron made it through the first round, George Osborne congratulated his 'friend' online, only for Ed Miliband to cast doubt on how close the pair really were. Following his win last night, Macron's victory has been hailed as a triumph for the values of liberalism and internationalism. But did someone close to home play an integral role in Macron's ascent to power? Mr S only asks after Chuka Umunna managed to throw in an impressive humble brag in an interview with Radio 4.

Sunday

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Watch: John McDonnell is shown up on the BBC over his Marxist denial

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 McDonnell, the BBC has now aired a video that directly contradicts his previous claim. On the Sunday Politics, Andrew Neil pointed out that the shadow chancellor had been previously filmed admitting he was a Marxist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtuEsbY5NE8 JM: 'I'm honest with people. I'm a Marxist.' Mr S recommends that next time McDonnell tries to rewrite history, he checks there's no video evidence to contradict him...

Steerpike

Watch: Paul Mason on ‘racist’ Tory voters

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 turned revolutionary appeared on the current affairs show to bat for Labour. However he ended up claiming many Tory voters were 'racist', in a discussion with Iain Dale: ID: When I ask voters what it is they like about Theresa May, they can't explain it -- and I think that's very interesting... PM: Maybe it was the list of foreign workers. Lists of foreign workers who we're going to expel from the British work force.

Friday

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Caitlin Moran repents for choosing Corbyn

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 she had done more research into what sports bra to choose than into Corbyn's policies: As Corbyn voters are now discovering, it's worth keeping abreast of who you support.

Steerpike

Watch: Diane Abbott gets her figures wrong… again

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 local elections, Abbott appeared on ITN to try and put a positive spin on the news. Alas things took a turn for the worst when Abbott was asked about the scale of Labour's defeat -- and came up short: Shadow home secretary @HackneyAbbott with yet another numbers #gaffe after she massively underestimates @labour's local elections losses. pic.twitter.

Steerpike

Thornberry’s BBC gaffe: ET can’t phone home

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 dire results. The only sticking point? ET could not phone home. Alas, her phone wasn’t working so she couldn't stay in touch with Labour HQ. Thornberry spent several minutes attempting to get her mobile to work before a worried Huw Edwards stepped in to ask her what was wrong: ‘It’s not even my iPhone. I don’t know how it works. it’s just got an Apple on it. It’s only got about five per cent battery’.

Thursday

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Introducing Theresa May’s local candidates

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. With this messages passed down to candidates, some are taking it literally. Step forward Claire-Louise Leyland.

Wednesday

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Is Paul Mason being lined up for a seat?

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 a non-local candidate could lose the seat if Danczuk runs as an independent. So, could it be another Corbynite who is in contention to make the shortlist? Applications for the seat open today and close tomorrow. The chatter in Labour is that Paul Mason may go for it -- after he was apparently spied visiting the Leader's Office today.

Steerpike

A Labour MP on the doorstep

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 handing out leaflets with the local Labour MP, who was knocking on doors nearby, but sadly unavailable for a chat. 'Ah what a shame, I'm a swing voter,' mused the occupier, and closed the door. Predictably, the MP was there within a few minutes. It was an enthusiastic if hacky pitch from the MP, until this 'swing voter' expressed scepticism that Jeremy Corbyn would make a good prime minister.

Steerpike

Watch: Tim Farron taken to task by furious Brexit voter

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 voter who was furious at the Lib Dem's Brexit stance. Here's the video: Voter Malcolm Baker confronts Tim Farron pic.twitter.com/PATPWC0yrR — Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) May 3, 2017 Farron did his best to try and calm the man down by saying that he had lots of friends who voted Leave - and that he didn't think they were 'racist'.

Steerpike

Labour infiltrate Tory election campaign

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 Hammond and David Davis speak for the first time in the Conservative campaign. The message on the screen is that Corbyn would mean 'no bombs for our army' but 'one big bombshell for your family'. However, the event has gone off message thanks to a Labour activist who managed to sneak her way into the event. The activist handed attendees pamphlets which claim to expose the 'Tories' false claims about Labour's plans'.

Steerpike

Watch: Dithering Labour frontbencher Jon Ashworth hounded by Piers Morgan

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 during an interview on Good Morning Britain today, Mr S hopes that Labour MP Jon Ashworth isn’t involved in the decision-making process in the event of a nuclear strike. Ashworth was repeatedly asked by Piers Morgan what he would do if another country launched an attack on Britain. Here's what he said: When @piersmorgan asks a question, Piers Morgan makes sure he gets an answer... pic.twitter.

Tuesday

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Standard hit job on May

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 leader, Brexit is branded 'an historic mistake': 'The British people were asked last year whether we should remain in or leave the European Union. Although the majority of Londoners wanted to remain, the country — by a small but clear margin — voted to leave. This paper respects that democratic decision, even though it continues to believe it to be an historic mistake.

Steerpike

Listen: Diane Abbott’s car-crash interview on Labour’s plan for extra policemen

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 bobbies on the beat. The problem: Abbott seems to have no idea how she'd pay for the 10,000 extra police officers. At first she said it would cost £300,000 - working out at £30 an officer. Her interview just got worse from there. Here it is:- Nick Ferrari: ‘So how much would ten thousand police officers cost?

Steerpike

Watch: Nick Clegg vs Piers Morgan – ‘you’re so pompous!’

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 turn for the worse when Clegg took issue with Piers Morgan's line of questioning. The breakfast host suggested that perhaps Clegg and the Liberal Democrats were not best placed to lecture about cynicism in politics: PM: These are bold words from you. There's a lot of students in the country who would look at you and think 'that was a pretty cynical move to promise the end of tuition fees and then treble them'.