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

Wednesday

Steerpike

Paul Mason calls Syriza critic a ‘Nazi collaborator’

From our UK edition

Covering the Greece crisis appears to be beginning to take its toll on Paul Mason. Channel 4's economics editor became embroiled in a bizarre Twitter rant last night during which he accused an anonymous blogger of being a 'Nazi supporter' over their criticism of the Syriza government. The comments were made during a heated discussion between Mason and the blogger @GreekAnalyst. A tweet criticising the Syriza government's strategy appeared to rattle Mason, who appears to be unimpressed by Germany's negotiations with Greece following the referendum. Mason expressed his frustration by using a Greek word to insult the user, who runs an anonymous blog strongly opposing the Syriza government: https://twitter.

Steerpike

Philip Davies moves on from Esther McVey

From our UK edition

When Esther McVey moved into Philip Davies' flat in 2013, the pair were quick to dispel rumours that they were anything more than good friends. Davies - who had separated from his wife at the time - went so far as to gush of his glamorous friend that he was 'flattered anyone could think I am dating her'. Now the platonic pair's living arrangements have come to an end, with McVey - who lost her seat to Labour in the election - recently moving out of Davies' London flat. Happily, the Tory backbencher won't be short of company, as Davies tells Mr S he has already found a new housemate: 'I have a new housemate, he's a man but I won't say who he is as I'm not sure he would want it to be public knowledge.

Tuesday

Steerpike

Crowdfunding campaign to bail out Greece fails to meet its target

From our UK edition

After the people of Greece voted against the bailout terms on offer in Sunday's referendum, the likelihood of the country staying in the Euro is beginning to diminish. Now, they have received yet another blow. A crowdfunder campaign, started by Londoner Thom Feeney to raise the full €1,600,000,000 needed, has been closed down after failing to meet its target. The IndieGoGo fundraiser claimed that since 'all this dithering over Greece is getting boring' it was time to forget the European ministers working on deals and instead let 'the people just sort it instead'. Alas, it seems out of the 503 million people across Europe, only a small percentage wanted to take part. The campaign managed to muster €1,930,577, a fraction of the funds needed.

Steerpike

Tory MP appears topless in new commercial

From our UK edition

As one of the new intake of MPs in this Parliament, Johnny Mercer will be full of ambition for the five years ahead. However, judging by a video he appeared in ahead of the election, one of his aims appears to be achieving a high ranking on the Sexy MP website. Mercer has a starring role in a Dove Men shower gel advert which is currently being broadcast in America. While the video includes a scene in which he appears topless in the shower, the film is family friendly with the MP for Plymouth Moor View's six-year-old daughter also appearing on camera. Mercer is taking his new found fame in his stride. 'When they asked me, I thought "Why not, it will be a laugh",' he told the Plymouth Herald. 'It was really fun. They sent me and the girls to London for three days.

Steerpike

BBC performs U-turn over Wimbledon 2Day

From our UK edition

Last night Clare Balding greeted viewers of the BBC's much lampooned Wimbledon 2Day with the news that they had relocated from the Gatsby private members' club to a new show venue for the final week of the tournament: 'We're at the business end of the tournament and because of that we've been posted to the centre of the action here on the edge of centre court, that's where we are up on that balcony.' All very well, only Mr S suspects Balding was being somewhat selective with the truth. Did the BBC in fact decide to cease filming in the purpose-built members' club because of audience criticism?

Monday

Steerpike

Is your barbecue racist? The Guardian would like to know

From our UK edition

Earlier this year the Guardian vetoed HP sauce for its readers on the grounds that it is the sauce of the establishment. In May, the newspaper then went on to criticise tea drinkers, who exhibit ‘the worst possible English trait, up there with colonialism and the class system’. Now, it's time to step away from the fire lighters, put the skewers down and ignore the impulse to put HP sauce on your charcoal grilled meats, as barbecues are now facing the heat. According to the Guardian, the barbecue 'has its roots in the cooperation between black and indigenous peoples struggling to get or keep their freedom from colonialists'.

Steerpike

Anna Soubry and Alex Salmond bury the hatchet following sexism row

From our UK edition

Only last month, Alex Salmond found himself at the centre of a sexism row after he told Anna Soubry to 'behave yourself woman' during a Commons debate. The chippy Cabinet minister went on to criticise the former SNP leader for his comments, claiming he had a 19th century attitude to women, by which they 'should be seen, and not heard'. Happily, the pair now appear to have put their differences behind them during a trip to Aberdeen. Soubry reports that Salmond provided great entertainment on their flight from Aberdeen back to London. The feeling is mutual, with Salmond boasting that Soubry behaved 'impeccably' this time around. She even gave him a lift to the House of Commons after: https://twitter.com/Anna_Soubry/status/618041886872354816 https://twitter.

Steerpike

Exclusive: top Scottish academic speaks out over Mhairi Black ‘slut’ tweet

From our UK edition

After Scottish Labour compiled a dossier of online abuse by cybernats, Scottish nationalists were quick to respond that supporters of other parties are just as bad. Step forward Jill Stephenson, Professor Emeritus of Modern German History at the University of Edinburgh. The retired academic is in the firing line over tweets she sent ahead of the election calling SNP MP Mhairi Black a 'foul-mouthed slut'.

Friday

Steerpike

Laurence Fox: I don’t like foxes

From our UK edition

Last night Brian May claimed that foxes are not vermin when he appeared on This Week to criticise government plans to repeal the ban on fox-hunting. The Queen guitarist argued that classing the furry creatures as 'vermin' was simply a ploy to justify killing them. However, vermin or not, Steerpike may have found an unlikely candidate to face off May on the issue. When Mr S caught up with Laurence Fox at the Spectator summer party, the Lewis actor – who used to go hunting in his youth when it was legal – had little time for his namesakes: 'I love the Countryside Alliance. Anyone who has had chickens loves fox hunting. I mean I had chickens, I don't like foxes.

Steerpike

Lib Dems claw back power from the Tories

From our UK edition

When Vince Cable lost his seat to the Tories in the general election, it was a a victory that brought much entertainment to the Conservatives, with David Cameron's former head of strategy Steve Hilton making light of it at his book launch. Now, the Liberal Democrats finally have reason for cheer, and while it might not be the election they had hoped to win, they have finally beaten the Tories in one battle. After Tania Mathias, who won the Twickenham seat for the Tories in the election, gave up her council seat in Hampton Wick, a by-election took place yesterday. Despite the ward being a traditional Tory stronghold, the party failed to retain the seat, and Lib Dem candidate Geraldine Locke won it by just over 100 votes: https://twitter.

Thursday

Steerpike

Harriet Harman blasts George Osborne for distasteful PMQs joke

From our UK edition

When George Osborne covered for David Cameron at PMQs last month, it was seen as his chance to prove to his critics that he was prime ministerial material. Alas, his attempt at a joke about Labour's Bennites in answer to a question from Hilary Benn about suicide bombers has hit a particularly sour note with Labour.

Wednesday

Steerpike

Ed Miliband makes a return to frontline politics

From our UK edition

Ed Miliband was praised for his integrity by George Osborne after he returned to the Commons and gave a speech so soon after his election defeat. Although the Conservatives have been happy to pile on the praise towards their old foe, Mr S suspects their enthusiasm will begin to wear thin by the end of the week. The former Labour leader is to dip his toe back into frontline politics by leading a commons debate tomorrow on Hatfield Colliery, the Doncaster coal mine which is closing this week leading to the loss of 430 jobs. Judging by Miliband comments so far on the mine's early closure, the Tories will be in for a rough ride during the adjournment debate: https://twitter.com/Ed_Miliband/status/615761740081410049 https://twitter.

Steerpike

The Spectator summer party, in pictures

From our UK edition

With a Tory majority to celebrate, the Cabinet turned out in full force for this year's Spectator summer party. As David Cameron and George Osborne caught up with their old head of strategy Steve Hilton, Sajid Javid and Michael Fallon enjoyed the British heatwave. Harriet Harman was there on behalf of Labour, with the departing deputy leader sharing a tender moment with Boris Johnson in the garden. Johnson meanwhile was on fighting form over the Heathrow expansion recommendations. However, he also found time to say some kind words about his brother Jo Johnson's plan to change the current university grade system to put a stop to students who 'coast within the 2:1 band'. As the proud owner of a 2:1 degree from Oxford, did Boris think it was a fair comment from Jo?

Steerpike

Tory summer party auctions a photo of the Cabinet – for £200,000

From our UK edition

Despite the government planning £12bn worth of welfare cuts, it's still a case of no expense spared when it comes to Tory parties. Last night the Conservative Party Summer Party was held at the Hurlingham. The lavish bash saw the Tories celebrate their return to government with their rich donors, who in turn volunteered hundreds of thousands of pounds for a number of lots, including a copy of the EdStone: Although the event was supposed to be private, Mr S's colleague Fraser Nelson was on hand to report back on the lavish bash. He writes about the do in his diary in the forthcoming issue of The Spectator: 'Mind you, nothing much embarrasses the Conservatives nowadays.

Steerpike

Jo Johnson takes aim at those who ‘coast within the 2.1 band’

From our UK edition

This morning Jo Johnson gave a speech in which he outlined his recommendations for the way in which universities grade students. The new science and universities minister suggested that they rethink the current honours system and instead have a 'dual running' with regards degree classifications and grade point averages. If his idea does become a reality and there is less of a focus on degree classifications, Mr S suspects it will be music to the ears of Jo's siblings, Boris and Rachel. Jo was the only one of the three to achieve a first class degree from Oxford, an achievement which was reportedly a cause of envy for Boris, who along with his sister Rachel, only managed to achieve a 2.

Steerpike

First rule of campaigning: Don’t get the voter’s name wrong

From our UK edition

Syed Kamall’s bid to be the Tory candidate in the race to be the next Mayor of London has not got off to a great start. In the face of strong competition from Zac Goldsmith, the London MEP emailed hundreds of Tory activists to win their support. Alas, the chummy campaign missive was addressed to the wrong people. 'Dear everyone,' came a swift follow up: 'Well, you might have noticed that earlier today my team sent out an email from me with the wrong names on. If I called you "John" and your name is "Jane" or vice versa then all I can say is sorry for trying to change your identity without letting you know! So, on behalf of the whole team, sorry.' 'It was a cock up, they happen,' the tetchy candidate tells Mr S, or Mrs D according to Kamall's database.

Tuesday

Steerpike

Dennis Skinner: ‘Gordon Brown and I were the Northern Powerhouse’

From our UK edition

After Dennis Skinner successfully won the SNP turf war over his favoured seat in the Commons, the Labour backbencher has been relatively quiet of late. So Mr S was pleased to see him back on fighting form this lunchtime during Business Questions. In what could only be described as an ambitious move, the Beast of Bolsover decided to take on Anna Soubry over George Osborne's pet project, the Northern Powerhouse.

Steerpike

Charlotte Church to be reunited with David Cameron at this year’s Tory conference

From our UK edition

In 2012 Charlotte Church met with David Cameron at the Conservative Party Conference as part of a Hacked Off fringe event. Although the meeting appeared to be civil at the time, the classical singer turned anti-austerity activist later said he came across as 'gross and really misogynistic': 'He was so dismissive to what I had to say. It just really irked me that whole situation.' Now three years on, Steerpike understands that the pair will have the chance for a reunion at this year's Tory conference, which is to be held in Manchester in October.

Steerpike

Simon Danczuk lashes out at Karen Danczuk following split

From our UK edition

Over the weekend, Simon Danczuk confirmed his break up from his wife Karen Danczuk, with both the Labour MP and the 'Selfie Queen' describing themselves as devastated at the decision. Alas, any sadness appears to have turned into anger. Simon has taken to Twitter to accuse Karen of using their split for publicity. He says that she is helping her personal trainer 'friend' to promote his gym: Whatever could he mean?

Monday

Steerpike

Coffee Shots: Jeremy Corbyn goes corporate

From our UK edition

Never let it be said that Jeremy Corbyn is the most anti-business of the four Labour leadership candidates. The left-wing politician appeared to endorse BT today on Twitter: So, is this corporate sponsorship for his campaign, a tech-savvy leadership pledge or simply the result of a Twitter hack? Given that he has since deleted the tweet, Mr S suspects the latter.