Steerpike

With Labour predicted to win as little as 20pc of the vote in the 2020 election, there's been little cause for celebration in the Leader's Office this week. However, should you be a glutton for punishment, an opportunity has arisen to join the beleaguered party as its 'deputy director' of Strategy and Communications: The lucky candidate will work as Seumas Milne's deputy -- and will preferably have experience of project management in 'complex situations'. It seems, too, that Corbyn may be looking to step outside of his comfort zone -- with the deputy director required to have 'first class' networking skills. Alas it might not be the longest career working for the Labour party -- the job only lasts as long as Corbyn is leader...

After Sir Ivan Rogers unexpectedly resigned as Britain's ambassador to the EU on Tuesday, it's safe to say that the diplomat is not the flavour of the month in Downing Street. In fact, given that his resignation letter appeared to take swipes at both Theresa May and Liam Fox over their Brexit approach, it's probably for the best if Rogers keeps a low profile in the coming weeks. Alas, this might not be possible. Bill Cash has today written to Rogers to remind him that his presence has been requested before the European Scrutiny Committee. The arch-Brexiteer adds that the committee's interest in Rogers is 'all the stronger' in light of his resignation: Popcorn at the ready...

Anyone reading the news of late would be forgiven for thinking that Labour is far from election ready. In fact, the party's poor polling led Unite's Len McCluskey -- a key Jeremy Corbyn ally -- to yesterday declare that if the polls are 'still awful' come 2019, Corbyn could have to stand down. However, fear not. It turns out that there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for the bad results: they're fake. Jeremy Corbyn's brother Piers has taken to Twitter in defence of the Labour leader. He suggests that Corbyn cannot be judged by the awful polling as 'fake polls mislead'. No doubt today's report from the Fabian Society claiming Labour could win just 20pc of the vote in a 2020 general election is also a dud.

On Thursday, Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for Russian attempts to interfere with the US presidential election. While Theresa May is yet to comment on the unfolding events, the SNP are proving more forthcoming. Paul Monaghan, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has taken to Twitter to say the decision by the US is 'regrettable'. https://twitter.com/_PaulMonaghan/status/814606694512816129 While Monaghan appears unfazed by both the CIA and FBI's assessment that Russia intervened in the US presidential election, he hasn't always taken such a blasé approach when it comes to claims of electoral wrongdoing.

This week, Theresa May's sincerity was called into question when party members -- including Ed Vaizey -- received a Christmas greeting from the Prime Minister in which they were addressed by their surname. With brains at CCHQ quick to clock the problem, Alan Mabbutt -- the Director General of the Conservatives -- has sent out an apology email in which he takes the blame for the error which 'distracted from the sincerity' of May's message. Only there's another issue. This time recipients are not even addressed by their surname -- let alone their first-name. Instead, they are simply referred to as 'Dear Member': Mr S suspects Theresa May and her party have some work to do when it comes to mastering the personal touch.

During the EU referendum, the Sun ran a front page with the headline 'the Queen backs Brexit’. The paper reported that the Queen clashed with Nick Clegg, who was then Deputy Prime Minister, over Europe at a lunch in 2011 -- at which she declared the EU was ‘heading in the wrong direction’. In the days and weeks that followed, the paper received much flak over the legitimacy of the story, with blame being pointed in Michael Gove's direction.

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, there were reports that Theresa May was concerned that Philip Hammond was not doing enough to help the 'just about managing' families -- aka JAMs. While he did oblige with a fuel duty freeze, May's government has since faced questions over its commitment to the JAMs -- with matters not helped by the Prime Minister's decision to don £1,000 leather trousers for a photoshoot. So, Mr S was intrigued to see that Hammond, too, isn't afraid to indulge in a taste of the high life. The latest register of interests shows that Hammond and his wife enjoyed a dinner -- courtesy of Andrew Taee, the founder of Dial Partners LLP -- to the value of £800.

Even when Ed Miliband was Labour leader, it was his brother who made the greatest impression across the pond. While Hillary Clinton waxed lyrical about David Miliband, Ed was never able to make waves in America. So, there's good news at last for the former Labour leader. Miliband won a primetime spot during a news bulletin from NBC. Alas, there is a catch - his photo was used as a stock picture for an item on the flu: https://twitter.com/elenacresci/status/810847595618766848 Well, they do say all publicity is good publicity...

Although the trouser-gate row between Theresa May and Nicky Morgan looked as though it was beginning to die down, the feud has been given fresh life thanks to brains at the BBC. After the Prime Minister banned Morgan from Downing Streeet for criticising her £1,000 trousers, the former education secretary dropped out of a planned appearance on Have I Got News For You. Explaining Morgan's absence, Gary Lineker said producers had been left with no choice but to place a £1,000 Mulberry handbag -- that Morgan owns a version of -- in her vacant chair: 'We were due to have the former education secretary Nicky Morgan, but because of a falling out with Downing St over Theresa May's £1,000 leather trousers she's decided not to come.

Theresa May is already not invited to the European Council summit dinner, and now it seems she's not that welcome at the day activities either. Yes, the Prime Minister appears to have been given the cold shoulder this morning at the event -- which sees the 28 leaders gather in Brussels to talk migrants, Turkey, Russia and Donald Trump. May was left looking as if she had no mates as she was blanked on the floor: https://twitter.com/EmilyPurser/status/809369281142157313 Let's hope tonight's solo dinner -- when the 27 remaining leaders depart to talk Brexit without May -- is more cheering than a ready meal for one.