Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from London and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk.

Farage skips ‘Brexit reset’ debate for French holiday

21 May 2025 5:03 am

To the Commons, where just after midday Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a statement on his brand new UK-EU deal.…

Clegg: Starmer’s EU deal is a ‘damp squib’

20 May 2025 10:37 pm

In a blast from the past, the UK’s onetime deputy prime minister Nick Clegg popped up again in London today…

Romanian man charged over Starmer fires

20 May 2025 6:58 pm

Last week, fires at two properties and a vehicle linked to Sir Keir Starmer were being probed by police –…

Is Reform changing its tune on voting reform?

20 May 2025 5:30 pm

With more than 650 councillors and a new MP to boot, Nigel Farage’s teal army is clearly on the up. But while Reform UK is…

How much has Liz Truss made since leaving No. 10?

20 May 2025 3:08 am

Two and a half years have passed since Liz Truss entered – and swiftly exited – Downing Street. The former prime minister…

Boris: Keir is ‘manacled gimp of Brussels’

20 May 2025 1:31 am

Ding ding ding! Sir Keir Starmer may have lauded it a ‘landmark’ deal but his agreement with the EU has…

One in two Labour voters back Supreme Court ruling

19 May 2025 10:01 pm

While members of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party have long struggled with the concept of biological sex, his voter base…

How convinced is the Trade Secretary about the UK-EU deal?

19 May 2025 8:41 pm

Today’s the day of Sir Keir Starmer’s big UK-EU summit and just hours ago it was confirmed that the UK…

Gary Lineker quits the BBC amid antisemitism storm

19 May 2025 8:18 am

Good riddance, Gary Lineker. The ex-England striker has now quit the Beeb in a huff, having presented his final Match…

Elton John: Labour are ‘absolute losers’

18 May 2025 8:58 pm

From Runcorn to Durham, Labour is losing their core vote everywhere. Now, even the luvvies are turning on them. It…

Second man arrested over Starmer fires

18 May 2025 7:01 pm

Counterterrorism forces have arrested a second man in connection with arson attacks on two homes and a vehicle associated with…

Will Labour’s uniform cap hit pupil performance?

17 May 2025 10:27 pm

It is the perennial question of British politics: who is next in the ministerial sack race? For a while, it…

Reform UK plots new wave of student societies

17 May 2025 8:47 pm

They say that the children are our future. So what better way for a party to demonstrate its potential than…

Emily Maitlis doesn’t understand grooming gangs

17 May 2025 1:55 am

‘You are focusing on Pakistani grooming gangs, because, probably, you’re racist.’ That’s what Emily Maitlis told ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe…

Equalities watchdog faces legal action over trans rules

17 May 2025 1:54 am

Oh dear. Now legal action has been launched against the UK’s equalities watchdog – alleging that guidance around transgender people…

Sturgeon earns more from second jobs than her MSP role

16 May 2025 8:59 pm

To the SNP’s Dear Leader, who just can’t seem to keep out of the spotlight. Now Scotland’s former first minister…

Lammy hits back in row with French taxi driver

16 May 2025 8:04 pm

Back to our hapless Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has found himself embroiled in a new war of words. No,…

Man charged with arson over fires linked to Starmer

16 May 2025 5:47 am

To the fires linked to Sir Keir Starmer’s property and car that have been probed this week. It now transpires…

Would voters back a Tory-Reform pact?

16 May 2025 1:58 am

While rumours continue to swirl about whether the Conservatives will strike a deal with Reform UK, exclusive polling shared with…

Starmer announces Rwanda-style scheme in immigration U-turn

15 May 2025 11:04 pm

Starmer Chameleon is at it again. Now Sir Keir has announced plans for a Rwanda-style immigration scheme after scrapping a…

Poll: three in four voters say Labour’s priorities are wrong

15 May 2025 5:34 pm

They say that politics is all about priorities. But what happens when the public says you’ve got it wrong? Mr…

Poll: Reform support surges to record high

15 May 2025 5:30 pm

Well, well, well. Sir Keir Starmer’s big immigration speech on Monday prompted accusations the Prime Minister was trying to ‘out-Reform…

Lowe brands Farage a ‘viper’ after Reform charges dropped

14 May 2025 10:11 pm

While Nigel Farage’s Reform party has seen success in the local elections this month, their former MP Rupert Lowe has…

Will Reform oust Miliband?

14 May 2025 9:56 pm

To the green thorn in Sir Keir Starmer’s side: Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband. The lefty veteran may have spent…

Royal College of Psychiatrists voices opposition to assisted dying

14 May 2025 8:46 pm

Assisted dying has been a hot topic both north and south of the border this week, as Scottish politicians voted…