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
From our UK edition
On Thursday night, John McDonnell had to pull out of an appearance on Question Time — alongside David Gauke, Tim Farron, Mariana Mazzucato and John Timpson — after coming down with the flu. Happily, his Labour comrade Chris Leslie — a former shadow chancellor — was on hand to step up to the plate at the last
From our UK edition
Although it’s usually cats that dominate government-related pet news, in recent week’s Gavin Williamson’s tarantula Cronus has been causing a stir. After the Chief Whip revealed he keeps a ‘proper pet’ on his desk, Commons authorities raised concerns over whether this was actually allowed — given that only guide and security dogs are allowed on the estate.
From our UK edition
Spare a thought for Michael Gove. While his fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign came to an abrupt end thanks to Gove challenging him, in the end it was the former mayor who found himself in the Cabinet and Gove who ended up on the backbench. Now it seems that Boris has had the last laugh
From our UK edition
As Labour struggle to be relevant, Rebecca Long-Bailey — the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury — managed to secure a prime spot in the BBC’s coverage of the Autumn Statement. Alas, brains at Labour may now be wishing she’d given the interview a miss. Long-Bailey appeared flustered as Andrew Neil asked her several questions about
From our UK edition
It’s a big day in the Commons with the Autumn Statement. Perhaps that’s why seat tensions ran so high at PMQs among Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet. After arriving in good time, Diane Abbott — dressed in a showstopping silver jacket — secured a prime seat next to the dear leader. Alas when Tom Watson arrived,
From our UK edition
The English football team have a problem and everyone knows it. After a string of disappointing results, many fans are beginning to lose faith that their team will ever come out on top again. Happily, Labour’s Stella Creasy thinks she has got to the bottom of what’s going wrong for our boys. The issue? Too many
From our UK edition
Ahead of tomorrow’s Autumn Statement, speculation has been growing about what policies the government have up their sleeves. However, another thing to look out for is strained relations between the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. Speculation has been growing in Westminster for some time that Theresa May and Philip Hammond don’t particularly see eye-to-eye. So, with that in
From our UK edition
Since Donald Trump won the presidential election, he has made it clear that he has no intention to play by the rules. On top of plans for his wife Melania to remain in New York — rather than move into the White House straightaway — and keep his business interests active throughout his term, the president-elect
From our UK edition
Here we go again. First Steven Woolfe quit Ukip following a row with his MEP colleagues and now it is the turn of Diane James, the former party leader. James has released a statement announcing that she will sit in the European Parliament as an independent — adding by way of explanation that her relationship with
From our UK edition
Today the Confederation of British Industry hosts its annual conference. Last year, David Cameron gave a speech to attendees and this year it’s Theresa May’s turn. Alas signs so far suggest it won’t be all smooth-sailing for the Prime Minister. While CBI president Paul Drechsler is expected to use his speech to urge May to ensure
From our UK edition
Oh dear. Today James McGrory of Open Britain appeared on Sunday Politics to explain why exactly the group are campaigning for Britain to remain a member of the single market when we leave the EU. As part of their efforts, the think tank has circulated a video which appears to show many Leave campaigners advocating staying in
From our UK edition
Oh dear. With Stepford students on a mission to make every university a safe space, there has been a clear shift in recent years when it comes to what can be classed offensive. Earlier this year Mr S reported how students in London were on a mission to ban free-speech societies. Now they have a new
From our UK edition
During the US presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s UK supporters were few and far between. In fact, aside from Nigel Farage, it fell on his old friend Piers Morgan to be his main cheerleader. The former Mirror editor wrote several supportive columns — praising Trump for saying what most people really think. It seems his show of
From our UK edition
This week the Times splashed on a report by the Institute for Government branding Theresa May’s Brexit plans ‘chaotic and dysfunctional’. The research group claimed that Whitehall is overwhelmed by the size of the task ahead and expressed concerns about its feasibility. However, while many Bremoaners have leapt on its findings as proof that the government’s
From our UK edition
Oh dear. Although the SNP like to pride themselves on being the ‘real opposition’, they tend to struggle when on the receiving end of criticism. And so it was the case today at PMQs as Theresa May responded to a question from Angus Robertson over the government’s Brexit plans: AR: Will the Prime Minister confirm today
From our UK edition
Although Theresa May is adamant that she will trigger Article 50 come what March, today’s Times splash suggests otherwise. A ‘leaked’ memo from Deloitte to the paper claims that the government is behind schedule with Brexit preparations and is heavily short-staffed — requiring another 30,000 civil servants in order to get the job done. So, what are the current
From our UK edition
Once upon a time Labour was seen to be the party of the working class while the Conservatives that of the Old Etonians. However, in recent years the Labour party has been accused of losing touch with its working class voters. So, Mr S was intrigued to see Philip Davies and Tristram Hunt debate one another
From our UK edition
It’s probably for the best that Theresa May wasn’t present at last night’s Evening Standard theatre awards. Mr S understands that the Prime Minister found herself in the firing line twice, with both Patrick Stewart and Lord Lloyd Webber using their stage time to take aim. First Stewart — the Star Trek actor — attacked May
From our UK edition
This week reports emerged that Nigel Farage was being lined up to act as a go-between for the government and Donald Trump. However, Downing Street sources were quick to deny the claims, suggesting that Ukip’s interim leader was an ‘irrelevance’ to the UK’s relationship with the US. However, it appears that keeping Ukip’s interim leader on side
From our UK edition
As the US election results rolled in on Tuesday, guests flocked to CNN’s results bash in Marylebone where the majority hoped to see Hillary Clinton elected president. While they didn’t have their wish granted, across town a more Trump-happy crowd gathered for Lord Ashcroft’s book launch. Nigel Farage was among guests at the Devonshire Club, in Liverpool
