Steerpike

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 her bid had received a lukewarm response, with one Labour source claiming Danczuk had 'no chance'. Alas this has proved correct. Danczuk has failed in her bid to become Labour's Bury North candidate, with James Frith picked instead. It's not turning out to be a good time for Danczuks all round -- Karen's former partner Simon Danczuk has been barred from standing for Labour in Rochdale following his suspension for sexting a 17-year-old.

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 rally. The shadow chancellor joined anti-austerity campaigners for the march  through central London. However, there were some unfortunate shots of him giving his speech. Rather than a backdrop of Labour posters, communist hammer and sickle flags (along with a Syria flag used by the Assad regime) appeared in the background as he spoke: https://twitter.com/Roh_Yakobi/status/859125633363980290 https://twitter.

Well, this is a bit awkward. The Johnson family has a long history of Conservatism. This holds true today, with Boris Johnson is the Foreign Secretary and his brother Jo is a Conservative MP. Up until now, their sister Rachel was broadly supportive of the party -- voting 'nothing but Tory' in general elections as 'a matter of family duty'. So, it's slightly embarrassing for Boris that his sister has now jumped ship. Despite her brother's big role in shaping the country's future, the Mail on Sunday columnist has joined the Liberal Democrats. As a Remain campaigner during the referendum, Johnson is thought to have made the decision over concerns about Brexit. A second rumour swirling round Westminster is that Johnson is being lined up for a seat, perhaps Bath or Yeovil.

Earlier this month, Tim Farron appeared to cast doubt on the idea of forming a 'progressive alliance' where the Greens, Labour and the Lib Dems work together to stop the Tories. The Liberal Democrat leader said that (while he held the Green Party's Caroline Lucas in high regard) 'the only plausible route of any kind towards the Conservatives not winning a majority is a Liberal Democrat group'. But was Farron's issue simply that the suggested alliance was with the wrong parties? Mr S only asks after being passed Lib Dem campaign literature from the Tees Valley mayoral race.

Today Tim Farron attempted to put a stop to questions over his Christianity, as he declared that he does not think gay sex is a sin. However, just a few hours later and the party have been plunged into another row. David Ward has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in Bradford East, where he lost his seat at the last election. The former Liberal Democrat MP is an interesting choice given Farron has said he wants his party to be a 'warm home' for Jews left alienated by Labour’s anti-semitism scandal.