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.

Polanski confirms run for Starmer’s seat

3 September 2026 7:31 pm

The Green party’s resident tit-whisperer, Zack Polanski – formerly Dave Paulden – looks set to take on Labour in the…

No. 10 refuses to condemn Diane Abbott’s Nato conspiracy rant

3 September 2026 12:23 am

The imminent threat from Russia is a NATO fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump’s demands for more military…

Burnham says yes, yes, yes to Labour’s Summer of Sex

2 September 2026 11:04 pm

One of the biggest criticisms levelled at Andy Burnham is that he simply cannot say no. Every campaign, every demand…

Sir Keir Starmer resigns from parliament

1 September 2026 10:33 pm

The great and principled man of the people, Sir Keir Starmer, is to stand down as an MP. Despite repeatedly…

Will the shadow chancellor scrap inheritance tax?

1 September 2026 4:00 am

In Toryworld, big changes are afoot. Kemi Badenoch has started with the personnel: out goes Priti Patel, replaced as foreign…

Labour MP defends her kids’ private schools

28 August 2026 8:47 pm

It’s been a tough old time for private schools. Amid endless self-aggrandising, Keir Starmer’s ministers took great pleasure in whacking…

Andy Burnham can’t get enough of reviews and consultations

22 August 2026 5:57 pm

They’re always tough, the first weeks back at work after a holiday, but the Prime Minister really has been off…

Labour MP rewrites the laws of economics

21 August 2026 7:52 pm

It is no secret that Labour MPs struggle to understand how wealth is created – hardly surprising when just one…

Lucy Powell: There’s nothing wrong with migrant rape pamphlet

20 August 2026 9:30 pm

“What does this say about the people entering our country?” @NickFerrariLBC asks Education Secretary Lucy Powell why it’s necessary to…

Top wonk joins Jenrick’s gang

20 August 2026 6:50 pm

The summer transfer window is open and Reform UK is making its fair share of signings. Mr S has already…

Watch: Bastani grovels over Arday comments

19 August 2026 9:14 pm

‘Professionally I erred, but ethically I really screwed up.’ Novara Media co-founder Aaron Bastani has apologised for comments he made…

Burnham: I’m ‘not embarrassed’ after being duped

18 August 2026 11:05 pm

“There was a minimal exchange. Nothing of consequence.” Andy Burnham says he is “not embarrassed” over texting impersonator pretending to…

Labour MP suspended amid Covid loan probe

18 August 2026 2:43 am

Well, well, well. For all Labour’s high-minded talk of morality, one of its MPs has been suspended pending an investigation…

Illegal migrants in Britain ‘need’ brothels, says Tory grandee

15 August 2026 12:22 am

Astonishing. Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie suggests migrants need brothels in these towns and villages. Via @TimesRadio pic.twitter.com/24Nn8NZvuj — Adam…

Watch: Tice flounders over Farage’s Clacton no-show

14 August 2026 8:00 pm

‘That’s nothing to do with his safety, he just doesn’t want to stand next to a bin!’ @NickFerrariLBC isn’t satisfied…

Reform puts Vodafone on notice over migrant SIM cards

13 August 2026 8:53 pm

Vodafone is actively assisting illegal migrants in France to break into Britain. Their CEO earns £10m a year. If they…

Unite members sit out leadership vote

13 August 2026 12:15 am

A meagre 10 per cent of Unite members bothered to vote in the union’s election for general secretary. Arch-lefty Sharon…

Burnham: I’ll ‘eradicate’ illegal dinghy crossings

12 August 2026 3:00 am

Andy Burnham today insisted he wants to ‘eradicate’ illegal dinghy crossings – but admitted he probably won’t be able to…

Rayner: Boat migrants are often ‘women and children’

11 August 2026 9:46 pm

“I feel absolutely appalled these criminal gangs will load a boat up to dangerous levels. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner reacts…

‘Serial bully’ Bercow back in Labour

8 August 2026 7:04 am

Keir Starmer might be gone but Labour is still counting the cost of his legacy. Party membership figures published this…

Labour: Kids can vote – but not use sunbeds

6 August 2026 9:17 pm

Stop the presses! Labour has, at last, found something it thinks sixteen-year-olds should not be allowed to use. Not a…

Jason Arday quits Cambridge (finally)

6 August 2026 7:20 am

So. Farewell then Jason Arday. The 37-year-old lackademic has tonight resigned his post at Cambridge University – the latest chapter…

Treasury fires warning shot at wealthy

6 August 2026 12:39 am

We are two weeks into Burnhamania and the Prime Minister has already, er, earned himself a break. Somewhere abroad, our…

Watch: Lowe offers an alliance with Farage

2 August 2026 8:05 pm

The Greater Manchester result showed what Restore Britain can deliver. The next step is how we maximise the chances of…

Watch: Haigh pleads for a second chance

1 August 2026 12:24 am

“I hope they will give me a second chance to serve in government.” First Secretary of State Louise Haigh addresses…