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.

Labour councillor torches Starmer for by election loss

21 December 2024 6:53 am

Another day and another thumping defeat for Keir Starmer. This time, it’s for one of three seats in the previously…

Lord Mandelson slammed as a ‘moron’ by Trump strategist

21 December 2024 5:26 am

Uh oh. Less than 24 hours after Peter Mandelson was appointed the next UK ambassador to Washington, Donald Trump’s team…

Sir Keir awards Sue Gray a peerage

21 December 2024 2:10 am

Well, well, well. The political peerages list is finally here and the nominations from Sir Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and…

Labour’s cronyism row rears its head again

20 December 2024 10:28 pm

Parliament may be in recess, but Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government still can’t catch a break. The Prime Minister is…

Plans afoot for Scotland Office cat

20 December 2024 5:00 pm

Is there room for more than one furry feline in Whitehall? Initially brought into quell the government’s mouse problem, the…

Watch: Starmer says he wouldn’t do top job differently

20 December 2024 3:36 am

When it rains for Sir Keir Starmer, it pours. The Prime Minister is now facing ridicule today after making a…

Starmer backs Labour minister named in corruption probe

20 December 2024 1:27 am

The Labour drama just never seems to stop. All eyes are now on Tulip Siddiq after the Daily Mail revealed…

Salmond aided police in SNP finance probe

19 December 2024 11:20 pm

To Scotland, where the focus is back on Operation Branchform. It now transpires that the late former first minister Alex…

Labour splits over WASPI compensation

19 December 2024 1:16 am

Christmas may be just around the corner, but not everyone is in festive spirits quite yet. The mood has certainly…

Starmer makes the most of No. 10’s gift shop

19 December 2024 12:00 am

Jetting off on one of his (many) trips abroad last month, Keir Starmer was snapped on his plane sipping from…

Top Tory tries to woo Elon Musk

18 December 2024 11:28 pm

The talk in Westminster is how much Elon Musk is going to give to Reform. But might the Tories might…

Reform sack Scots organiser over terror links

18 December 2024 11:03 pm

Nigel Farage’s party has been having a rather good time of it lately, after winning its first five seats in…

Mauritius rejects Sir Keir’s Chagos deal

18 December 2024 3:38 am

As if Starmer’s Labour government hasn’t had enough bad news lately, it now transpires that Mauritius has rejected the Sir…

Humza Yousaf’s top five worst Covid WhatsApps

18 December 2024 3:15 am

Well, well, well. It has now emerged that the SNP government will ban WhatsApp on official devices in the wake…

Liz Kendall’s WASPI women U-turn

18 December 2024 12:52 am

Another day, another drama. Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has finally confirmed that the WASPI women will not…

Humza Yousaf to step down as MSP

17 December 2024 9:46 pm

Well, well, well. It now transpires that hapless Humza Yousaf will step down as an MSP at the next Holyrood…

Starmer receives worst rating yet as Labour leader

16 December 2024 9:38 pm

Another day, another bit of bad news for Sir Keir Starmer. A new Ipsos poll carried out between 27 November…

SNP ministers blasted over taxpayer-funded limo trips

16 December 2024 8:23 pm

To Scotland, where more SNP ministers are under scrutiny over their use of official limousines with First Minister John Swinney…

Graham Linehan: I’m leaving Britain

13 December 2024 10:46 pm

To the world of comedy, where it transpires that renowned gender critical activist Graham Linehan is looking for pastures new.…

Labour cabinet splits over Assad

13 December 2024 9:53 pm

Another day, another Labour drama. It now transpires that Sir Keir Starmer’s army is in turmoil over a previous Labour…

Scotland’s Labour voters support two-child cap, poll finds

13 December 2024 3:34 am

To Scotland, where a new poll has revealed results the Nats may be rather unhappy to see. It now transpires…

Scotland caves to UK puberty blocker ban

13 December 2024 12:04 am

Well, well, well. It now transpires that the Scottish government will follow Westminster’s lead on the UK puberty blocker ban…

Full list: the MPs scrutinising the Assisted Dying Bill

12 December 2024 4:39 am

At the end of November, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults Bill passed its second reading with a majority…

Could Reform and the Tories form an electoral pact?

12 December 2024 3:56 am

As if 2024 hadn’t been packed full of elections, eyes are already moving to next year’s local polls – and…

Watch: Farming chief weeps at Labour’s tax raid

12 December 2024 1:06 am

The public outrage at Labour’s family farm tax isn’t going away any time soon. Today farmers from across the country…