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

Coffee Shots: Corbyn’s comrades enjoy late night tête-à-tête

From our UK edition

As Labour MPs drowned their sorrows in Strangers’ Bar last night following a fractious meeting of the PLP, over in the Red Lion the pro-Corbyn contingent gathered for a pint. Mr S’s mole reports that Momentum’s Jon Lansman met with Richard Burgon, the Shadow Justice Secretary, and Seb Corbyn at the Westminster watering hole to give the

Watch: Jeremy Corbyn heckled by his own MPs – ‘resign!’

From our UK edition

It’s not proving to be a great day for Jeremy Corbyn. After over half of his Shadow Cabinet resigned, the Labour leader has now faced a revolt in the Chamber. While giving a statement on the European referendum, Corbyn called for MPs to refrain from in-fighting: ‘The country will thank neither the benches in front of

Jeremy Corbyn’s new Shadow Defence Secretary goes MIA on first day

From our UK edition

Given the flak that Tom Watson  received for partying until 4am at Glastonbury on Saturday as his party imploded, one could be forgiven for thinking that any remaining Labour MPs at the annual festival would have got out of there as soon as possible. However, there is a rumour doing the rounds that Corbyn’s new

Simon Danczuk comes to Jeremy Corbyn’s rescue

From our UK edition

Today Jeremy Corbyn has had not one, not two, not three but ten Shadow Cabinet members hand in their resignation. What’s more, with a growing number of Labour MPs confessing to having lost faith in the Labour leader over the EU referendum result, he now faces a difficult task trying to fill the vacancies. Happily, one man

What Labour coup? Tom Watson parties the night away at Glastonbury

From our UK edition

As Jeremy Corbyn tries to hold off the threat of a coup from members of his shadow cabinet, it’s probably for the best that he pulled out of a planned appearance at Glastonbury today. However, not everyone in Labour’s top command appears to have received the memo about putting the party’s woes above the annual music festival.

Breaking: Jeremy Corbyn cancels his Glastonbury gig

From our UK edition

Given that the result of the EU referendum was likely to have a monumental impact whatever the outcome, Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to speak at this weekend’s Glastonbury festival was always a curious choice. Now faced with Labour MPs calling for his removal, it seems Corbyn has had second thoughts. The Labour leader has pulled out of his

Andrew Cooper bizarrely sets bar for Cameron: win referendum by 10 points

From our UK edition

In last year’s general election, Andrew Cooper was left red-faced after his firm Populus’s final ‘prediction‘ of a 0.5 per cent chance of David Cameron winning a Tory majority turned out to be somewhat, em, pessimistic. Since then, Lord Cooper of 0.5 per cent has been on a PR offensive in an attempt to rebrand himself as the next

Is it a case of Tim-Nice-But-Dim for Remain?

From our UK edition

Another day, another Brexit poll. This time YouGov claim to have discovered what a name can tell you about someone’s voting tendency. If you’re called Sheila or Graham you’re most likely to vote Leave, whereas those by the name of Kathryn and Samantha are most likely to fall into the undecided category. However, the poll finding that caught Mr S’s eye

Breaking: Stuart Rose manages to be of help to Remain

From our UK edition

It’s fair to say that Stuart Rose has not been of huge help to Remain in the EU referendum. Despite being tasked with heading up ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’, Rose has made a series of comments that have boosted the other side. Meanwhile in recent weeks he has retreated from the media spotlight, instead seeking solace in private

Another day, another private members’ club visit for Stuart Rose

From our UK edition

In recent weeks, there has been a genuine concern among Brexiteers that the In campaign are hiding Stuart Rose out of harm’s way in a secret location. The hapless Britain Stronger in Europe chairman has all but disappeared from the media spotlight after a series of campaign blunders — from forgetting the name of his own

How Sayeeda Warsi duped The Times

From our UK edition

Today The Times have splashed on the revelation that Baroness Warsi is defecting from Out to In as a result of the ‘hate and xenophobia’ peddled by Leave. Given that the paper have run the news on its front page, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Leave camp really are ‘in turmoil’ over the defection of

Sam Cam’s sister vows never to vote Tory again if Leave win

From our UK edition

There’s a lot at stake for David Cameron when it comes to the EU referendum. As well as having to try to mend party divisions, a vote for Brexit could bring an end to Cameron’s time as Prime Minister. Now he has another problem to deal with should the nation vote to leave — his sister-in-law will never vote

Whitto reveals how he got his black-eye

From our UK edition

Aside from the EU debate, it’s John Whittingdale who has become the talk of the Commons this week thanks to the black-eye he’s been sporting. While there has been much speculation as to how he came to get the bruise, his aides have insisted that it was simply won through an altercation with a lamp post.