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

Thursday

Steerpike

The Guardian sponsors white tie ball at Cambridge University’s oldest college

Last week the Green Party was forced to cancel a planned black tie fundraiser after their members complained that the champagne-fuelled event was at odds with what Natalie Bennett's party was supposed to stand for. So Mr S was surprised to see that the Guardian has gone one step further and sponsored a white tie ball. The left-leaning paper, which never misses an opportunity to remind David Cameron of his Bullingdon Club past, is listed as a proud sponsor for the 2015 Peterhouse May Ball. The event, which is one of Cambridge University's two white tie balls (the other is held by Magdalene College), has tickets for two starting at £350, not including the white tie that party goers will need to hire for the lavish bash.

Steerpike

Game of Thrones: Charles Dance says Cameron not brave enough to be a Lannister

After David Cameron was asked in a live Q&A this week who his favourite Game of Thrones character was, the Prime Minster replied Ned Stark - the heroic head of the Stark family, who died at the end of series one. While many commentators were quick to claim that Cameron would be much more at home with the villainous Lannister clan, it appears he made a wise choice. Speaking at the Game of Thrones premiere, Charles Dance - who plays the murderous Tywin Lannister in the series - said that the Prime Minister would not cut the muster in House Lannister. ‘I don’t think he’s brave enough to be a Lannister,’ the actor told The Debrief.

Steerpike

Did Vince Cable think he was presenting the Lib Dems’ budget?

This morning Danny Alexander is scheduled to reveal the Liberal Democrats' proposed alternative budget. Alas, Vince Cable appears to have missed the memo. Speaking about the budget on LBC yesterday, Cable claimed he would be leading the Lib Dem budget: Presenter: Is it difficult to sit through a Budget like that and be barely mentioned? As a party, not personally. Vince Cable: If it’s the response to the Budget tomorrow, I will be leading and I will be setting the tone of the debate. Cable was demoted as Liberal Democrat economy spokesman in January in favour of Alexander. Happily, Mr S hears Cable will still have a role in the Lib Dem budget later in the day after Alexander has given the main speech.

Steerpike

Currency wars: John Major vs Zac Goldsmith

Zac Goldsmith recently wrote in the Spectator that it was his father - not the Labour party - who had stopped Britain from joining the euro. The Conservative MP claimed his dad Sir James Goldsmith was to thank, after his Referendum party battled to 'ensure that Britain would never join the euro without the consent of the people'. One man who appears to disagree, however, is former Prime Minister Sir John Major. Major has written a letter in this week's Spectator arguing that Goldsmith did not have any effect on government policy: 'Much as I admire filial loyalty, I cannot allow Zac Goldsmith’s article about his father to go uncorrected.

Steerpike

Labour’s election chief in campaign struggle to hold onto his seat

Douglas Alexander claimed this week that Facebook has made it difficult for politicians to campaign successfully. He said that Labour were struggling to win back voters in Scotland as a result of conspiracy theories being posted on social media. Perhaps Labour's campaign chief  was simply trying to make early excuses for his own performance in the upcoming election. Alexander is predicted to lose his Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat to a 20-year-old SNP candidate. In a bid to turn the tide, Alexander has been desperately tapping up friends for much-needed campaign cash. Mr S can reveal that the former lawyer has taken £28,000 since January.

Wednesday

Steerpike

Royal baby due at height of general election campaign

Two of the biggest media circuses are set to collide. The 2013 press storm that greeted the arrival of Prince George looks likely to return when the Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to her second child. Today Catherine revealed that the baby is due next month. 'I'm due in mid-April, to the end of April,' the young royal told a crowd of wellwishers. This is of course right in the middle of the general election campaign. With broadcasters and newspapers spread out over the country covering an already testing five party election, Mr S suspects political coverage will grind to a halt for at least 24 hours as all media eyes turn once again to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.

Steerpike

Andy Burnham burnishes his foreign policy credentials

If Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham's future leadership aspirations were ever in doubt, then take a look at his reaction to the news of Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election as Prime Minister of Israel last night: https://twitter.com/andyburnhammp/status/578116833653305344 Burnishing his foreign policy expertise: tick. Cat-nipping the Labour left: tick. About as subtle as Burnham's recent attempts in The Spectator to rebrand himself as 'mainstream Labour'. The general election campaign has barely begun, and already potential Miliband successors are getting their ducks in a row.

Steerpike

Wolf Hall gets an American makeover

Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall documents the rise of Thomas Cromwell, one of history's most famous anti-heroes. Chronicling Henry VIII's ill-fated marriage to Anne Boleyn, it is just one of many accounts of life in Tudor times under Henry VIII. However as well known as the story may be, Mr S hears that there are fears it could be lost on Americans when the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Wolf Hall transfers from the West End to Broadway next month. The New York Post reports that producers have made some changes to the play in an attempt to make it more palatable to American audiences.

Steerpike

Nigel Farage: I’ve no doubt my health will have failed by 2020

After Mr S revealed the strict door policy for the launch of Nigel Farage's new book The Purple Revolution at the Blue Boar in Westminster, the impromptu drinks affair was filled with mostly friendly faces from the media. Columnist Isabel Oakeshott introduced the Ukip leader, telling the audience that 'of all the politicians I've had lunch with over the years — and there are an awful lot of them — Nigel is right up there in the top five of the best people to have what I think he calls a PFL: a proper f---ing lunch". Farage himself was in an ebullient mood, following the multi-day serialisation of his book.

Steerpike

Wanted: Nigel Farage lookalike

As the election approaches, politicians will find their diaries packed with various events. It's an equally busy time for those born with the gift of looking like a politician. ‘I’m lucky that I look like Boris,’ says Drew, a Mayor of London 'lookalike' who is on the books at the Susan Scott agency. ‘I often get stopped and while it’s not always pleasant, it’s nowhere near what a David Cameron lookalike I know gets.’ Alas, Boris won’t have Drew’s vote. ‘I may make money out of Boris, but I have never voted for him and that’s not going to change.’ With election party season on the horizon, Mr S has gathered a selection of his favourite lookalikes to invite to your own soirées.

Tuesday

Steerpike

Coffee Shots: David Cameron shows off his well-stocked kitchen

Sarah Vine criticised Ed Miliband in the Daily Mail after the Labour leader posed with his wife Justine in a bare kitchen for a BBC interview. Although the 'forlorn little kitchen' turned out to just be his 'kitchenette' rather than his main kitchen, Miliband has gone on to insist that it is one he uses. It's a different story, however, for his rival David Cameron who has taken the opportunity to show off his own shiny kitchen in a video for the Sun's new election website. The short film, which documents a day in the life of the Prime Minister, shows Cameron chillaxing in the well-stocked kitchen which is crammed with food, equipment and recipe books.

Steerpike

Michael Dugher blasts Jeremy Clarkson following Top Gear incident

David Cameron came out in support for his old chum Jeremy Clarkson last week after he was suspended from Top Gear for allegedly punching a producer. Members of the opposition, however, appear to be in a less forgiving mood. Speaking at the LabourList pre-election conference, Michael Dugher criticised Clarkson for his actions saying that the idea that he could return to the BBC belongs in the 'stone age'. 'When you look at it, there’s a consistent pattern of pretty obnoxious, racist behaviour,' the Labour MP said. He added that to call Clarkson a mere 'idiot' would be a compliment. This is not the first time that the shadow transport secretary has laid into the presenter.

Steerpike

Whatever happened to Nigel Farage, the defender of free speech?

Once upon a time there was a libertarian champion, who led a self-styled 'People's Army'. He stood up to 'political correctness' and was famed for his outspoken views that often got him into trouble with the 'Establishment' and the 'mainstream media' that he railed against. Yet look how far Nigel Farage has come. Privileged invitees to the Ukip leader's book launch tonight have been warned that 'all conversations are to be considered off the record' at the SW1 event: 'Acceptance of this invite implies agreement of these terms. Information garnered at the event may be used for background, but should be considered non-attributable without further confirmation...

Steerpike

Mark Gatiss: I based Sherlock’s Mycroft on Peter Mandelson

In the BBC's Sherlock, Mark Gatiss plays Sherlock Holmes's sly older brother Mycroft. Now the actor has revealed in an interview with the Radio Times that the person who inspired his performance is none other than Peter Mandelson. 'I based Mycroft on Peter Mandelson. It was explicit even before I was going to play him. Steven Moffat and I talked about how Mandelsonian Mycroft was... Conan Doyle says Mycroft is the British government. He’s the power behind the throne. Both Mandelson and Mycroft are the sort of people who, I think, would sit out a world war. [They would think] there's a longer game to be played.

Monday

Steerpike

Is Ian Katz plotting a return to ‘snooooozepapers’?

With Katharine Viner guaranteed a final round interview to be the next Guardian editor-in-chief after winning a staff ballot, rumours are circulating that her former colleague Ian Katz is the other horse left in the race. Hot goss: final two in race for Guardian editorship are now @iankatz1000 and @KathViner, insider tells me. — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) March 13, 2015 Katz left his role as deputy editor of the Guardian to join the BBC as Newsnight editor in 2013. At the time, it was reported that he had grown tired of waiting for Alan Rusbridger to step down as editor. If it is the case that Katz is in the final two, his interview with the Scott Trust should be an interesting one.

Steerpike

Anti-capitalist protesters occupy wrong building

Hippies have invaded the heart of St. James's, occupying a building on Pall Mall to protest the evils of capitalism. Yet it seems they did not do their homework... 123 Pall Mall, where the invading lefties have hoisted their banners, used to be the home of the Institute of Directors - and they were the clear target of the campaign. However, the lease on the building was handed back by the IoD last summer, after an expansion at their headquarters down the road. The building is nothing to do with the business cheer leaders any more. An IOD spokesman tells the Spectator: 'We vacated this building six months ago, but there’s a chance there are some old Hayek or Adam Smith books left behind. Who knows, perhaps they’ll learn something.

Sunday

Steerpike

Green Party cancels black tie fundraiser following members’ revolt

The Green Party's fundraising ball was set to be an event to rival the Tory Black and White ball. Tickets to the lavish bash, which included a champagne reception, started at £500 with tables going for up to £15,000. However, after news of the planned fundraiser broke on Friday, party members complained that the the ball was at odds with the Green party's policy to redistribute wealth. Now, Mr S hears that the event has been cancelled as a result of the public backlash. 'After feedback from our membership, supporters and donors, the Green Party Executive decided not proceed with this event,' a party spokesman tells Steerpike. Green donors now have the chance to attend a more inclusive event.

Saturday

Steerpike

Steerpike competition: ‘MP Looking Normal’ contest

Politicians are always trying to appear normal, sincere and authentic. It’s not just Ed Miliband trying to decide which kitchen to pose in: every MP is always trying to craft an image of themselves as a man or woman of the people through carefully-posed Twitter photos. Mr Steerpike particularly enjoys shots of MPs enjoying themselves in their constituencies while buttering up a local business, and has a little black book of the best examples. Here are three very good ones: Getting Ready for Christmas today in Dover. Parking is free in Dover & Deal until 26th Dec thanks to @DoverDC pic.twitter.

Friday

Steerpike

Ed Miliband defends his two kitchens

Yesterday Mr S reported that Ed Miliband posed in his second kitchen for a BBC interview with his wife Justine, rather than his larger main kitchen. Now the Labour leader has come out in defence of his two kitchens, claiming that the smaller 'kitchenette' is his main kitchen. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Miliband says that he does have two kitchens but denies that he posed in the smaller one to give the impression that he was a man of the people. 'I think Justine would probably say she wishes I’d spend more time in the kitchen. The house we bought had a kitchen downstairs when we bought it. And it is not the one we use. We use the small one upstairs.

Steerpike

Wallace and Gromit creator not happy about Ed Miliband cartoons

Since the Times cartoonist Peter Brookes first drew Ed Miliband in the image of Wallace from Nick Park's cartoon Wallace and Gromit, the Labour leader has been unable to escape comparisons to the goofy-faced character. Now, the Evening Standard reports that Park is growing tired of its negative use in the lead up to the election. 'As a huge Labour supporter Nick hates the way they always depict Miliband disparagingly,' a source close to Park is quoted as telling the paper. 'The humour used is more often than not crude, and the main concern for Nick is the damage it is doing to Wallace and Gromit’s image as good, clean family oriented animated characters.