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.

‘Livid’ ex-Labour candidate resigns from party

5 June 2024 5:07 am

Another day, another drama. Labour has been thrown back into the spotlight after deselected candidate Faiza Shaheen today announced her…

Farage doused in drink during Clacton trip

5 June 2024 1:11 am

Reform’s new leader Nigel Farage has been busy wooing crowds in Clacton as he launched his election campaign in the…

BBC in bother as pundit accused of antisemitism

4 June 2024 10:25 pm

Back to the blundering BBC, whose latest mishap involves one of the broadcaster’s cricket pundits. Qasim Sheikh, formerly a Scotland…

Keegan’s campaign launch confusion

4 June 2024 9:50 pm

Another day, another Conservative campaign gaffe. This time it involves Education Secretary Gillian Keegan who has enthusiastically thrown her support…

Watch: Lib Dems photobomb Sunak event

4 June 2024 12:48 am

Can anything go right on Rishi Sunak’s magical mystery tour? Nothing seems to be going right for the Prime Minister…

Tories to amend Equality Act to protect biological sex

3 June 2024 8:30 am

The Tories have continued their habit of making a big election pledge at 10:30 p.m every weekend. Last time, it…

Diane Abbott confirms she will stand for Labour

3 June 2024 4:27 am

Oh dear. It seems that Diane Abbott has outmanoeuvred Keir Starmer once again. Week one of Labour’s much-vaunted election campaign…

Sir Keir’s private jet hypocrisy

31 May 2024 10:06 pm

Oh dear. In yet another campaign blunder for Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader has been forced to fess up…

Iain Dale pulls out as a Tory candidate

31 May 2024 8:43 pm

Oh dear. Less than 48 hours after he quit LBC to stand in the election, Iain Dale has now ruled…

Rayner backs Abbott staying on as Labour MP

31 May 2024 1:18 am

Another day, another confusing twist in Labour’s stance on Diane Abbott. The ongoing saga has created significant disquiet over the…

SNP’s ‘urgent plea’ to house campaigning Westminster staffers

30 May 2024 10:16 pm

Oh dear. No one party appears to be enjoying an especially slick campaign at present, but north of the border…

Now Labour blocks Lloyd Russell-Moyle from standing

30 May 2024 4:59 am

It is a bad time to be a member of the Socialist Campaign Group. Hours after Mr S revealed that…

Iain Dale quits LBC to run as Tory candidate

29 May 2024 5:44 pm

It’s the end of an era for over 70 Tory MPs who will quit their seats at the next election…

Has Starmer told the truth about Diane Abbott?

29 May 2024 4:28 pm

Sir Keir Starmer has made personal integrity front and centre of his election campaign. When asked about his multiple broken…

Diane Abbott banned from standing for Labour

29 May 2024 5:09 am

The drama in Westminster never seems to end – and tonight is certainly no exception to that rule. In one…

Poll slashes Labour lead to just 12 points

29 May 2024 3:59 am

They think it’s all over – but is that actually the case? After a difficult start to the campaign for…

BBC presenter grovels after Farage jibe

29 May 2024 2:52 am

It seems these days that the BBC is doing a better job of creating the news than presenting it. Today’s…

Reeves reprises her Wikipedia tribute act

29 May 2024 12:51 am

Once we had New Labour: now we have Changed Labour. As part of Sir Keir Starmer’s bid to prove that…

Labour takes down Tory attack TikTok video

28 May 2024 10:00 pm

Another day, another gaffe. Only this time it’s the Labour party in the firing line, not so long after the…

Will Sunak debate Farage on small boats?

28 May 2024 4:25 pm

It’s a big day for Reform UK as Nigel Farage hosts his first campaign event down in Dover. But prior…

Tory MP suspended for backing Reform successor

28 May 2024 2:50 am

It never rains but it pours for poor Rishi Sunak. After a difficult start for his election campaign, the Prime…

Is Michael Gove set to become the next Strictly star?

26 May 2024 6:13 am

As the exodus of Conservative MPs continues, Mr S is rather curious about what alternative careers retiring Tories have in…

Reform branch urges its voters to turn out on a Saturday

25 May 2024 3:37 am

Richard Tice was out yesterday at Reform’s big election launch, proudly declaring that his party is ready for the upcoming…

JK Rowling takes aim at Starmer over Duffield snub

25 May 2024 1:46 am

Oh dear. It’s not yet 48 hours since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election and already tensions are…

Corbyn to stand as an independent MP

24 May 2024 6:37 pm

Amidst the election drama it would be easy to forget about one rather eccentric politician. Today Jeremy Corbyn has announced…