Steerpike

Restauranteur Richard Caring is leading the charge against Labour for their pledge to reintroduce the 50p tax rate. The billionaire owner of Caprice Holdings, which includes Le Caprice, The Ivy and Scott’s, said over the weekend: 'I am deflated to see this negative political attack on those trying to support the fragile recovery in these tough economic times.' Awkwardly for Labour, Caring is one of the many rich backers the party were revealed to have tapped up for loans under Blair, and they are still yet to repay him his £2 million. If he’s that upset with Balls, maybe it’s time to send him his bill?

Mr S has long admired Essex Tory MP Douglas Carswell. Not only does the rebel with a cause bring a fascinating aspect to the political debate, it also turns that out the lawmaker fights lawbreakers: Just chased and caught a shop lifter in Clacton..., waiting for police — Douglas Carswell MP (@DouglasCarswell) January 24, 2014   This will do wonders with his local paper. One less vote, though. PS: General Boles - or Bright Blue Boles, as he styles himself now - has produced the marvellous picture above.

More unwanted drama for the Lib Dems. Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock's son has been filmed allegedly assaulting a photographer outside his father's home, with Hampshire police saying that 'a reporter received an injury to his nose'. The alleged assault by Hancock's 37-year-old son comes just as the MP is suspended from the Lib Dems following a leaked report into claims of sexual misconduct towards a female constituent. Mr Steerpike can only begin to imagine how delighted the Lib Dems will be to hear about this latest episode.

Mr S was in the bath thinking 'My word, isn't nature wonderful?' when he heard the pleasing sound of an email hitting his inbox. It contained the photograph above. The man in the picture is none other than Richard Royal, who is on the Conservatives' candidates list for the 2015 general election. RR is what we euphemistically call a "political consultant", and he is also a former male model. Mr S hears that RR is a bit of hit with the ladies. Is this broody, Heathcliffe-esque figure the answer to Young Dave's seemingly insoluble woman problem?

Yesterday’s PMQs was a sombre affair, because of the untimely death of well-liked Labour MP Paul Goggins. The party leaders made a concerted effort to be a little more civil to one another. And backbenchers seemed subdued by the loss of one of their own. There were a few exceptions, though. Labour’s Chris Bryant took great pleasure in singling out Matthew Hancock for ‘not quite entering into the spirit of today’ when the Tory Minister dared to suggest that Labour’s jobs pledge had been ‘absolutely demolished’. As usual, Bryant gave a running commentary of proceedings online. He made a passing literary reference when the Prime Minister donned some glasses: Cameron wears glasses. Always at my back I hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near.

The open primary to choose the 2016 Labour candidate for London Mayor is a dot on horizon; but speculation is underway. Mr Steerpike has been reading the form. Tessa Jowell, the former Olympics minister and outgoing MP for Dulwich, had a busy festive period: turning on the waterworks and displaying signs of Tourettes in this Guardian interview. Here is what she said in response to a question about those pressmen who say that her estrangement from her husband David Mills during his run-in with the Italian courts was manufactured: ‘Frankly, you know, those arseholes are so fucking rancid that I just hope every morning they wake up and think: 'I'm ashamed of the job I do.

Did Robert Halfon, the Tory MP for Harlow, get a new suit for Christmas? He was resplendent in this russet/chestnut suit at today's Education Questions. Had he not been wearing short hair, he would have passed for Ron Burgundy of Anchorman fame. Bold.