It’s been a tumultuous first year for Sir Keir Starmer, and with backbenchers and opposition politicians alike becoming far more vocal, where better to take the temperature of Westminster then at The Spectator’s annual summer party? The party, always in early July, is typically a scene of political drama: it comes just days after Labour’s latest U-turn on Labour and the Chancellor’s tears in the Commons.
From Sir Paul Marshall to the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, there are a number of notable faces. And despite all the Labour drama, Mr S has noted a Labour presence while Reform UK and the Conservatives turn out in force. Several Cabinet ministers appeared, including Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Environment Secretary Steve Reed. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch appeared, as did Reform leader Nigel Farage. Former Chancellor George Osborne also enjoyed the event while ex-Cabinet minister Victoria Atkins and Therese Coffey appeared. It was a cross-party affair, with the Liberal Democrats’ Daisy Cooper enjoying the event, while Alba’s Ash Regan turned up. Personalities including Piers Morgan, Trevor Phillips and Rachel Johnson came too. Below are a selection of photos from the event:
Radio critic Daisy Dunn, Deputy editor Freddy Gray, political editor Tim Shipman and Spectator publisher Freddie SayersThe BBC’s Nick Robinson talking to Freddie SayersFormer Chancellor George OsborneThe Spectator’s broadcast producer Natasha Feroze and editor Michael GoveSpectator proprietor Sir Paul Marshall and Labour peer Maurice GlasmanFrom left to right: Reform’s Zia Yusuf and Charles Carlson, the Spectator’s deputy political editor James Heale, Reform’s Ed Sumner and Dan JukesZia Yusuf, Julia Hartley-Brewer and Lee AndersonReform’s John Gill and the Spectator’s deputy political editor James HealeGB News political editor Christopher Hope and the Scotman’s Alan CochraneEx-Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and journalist Isabel OakeshottWinston Marshall and Melissa ChenConservative party leader Kemi BadenochTimes Washington Editor and Spectator alumnus Katy Balls and the Spectator’s online editor Tom GoodenoughPiers Morgan, Rachel Johnson and Trevor PhillipsKemi Badenoch and Amol RajanPiers Morgan and Freddie SayersRichard Tice, Paul Staines and Nigel FarageSNP Westminster leader Stephen FlynnFormer defence secretary Penny Mordaunt and Alba party MSP Ash ReganNigel Farage and Beth RigbyHealth Secretary Wes Streeting
It seems that some people really can’t take a joke… In the magazine this week, Rod Liddle wistfully contemplated the idea of nuking Glastonbury, pointing out that a small-yield nuclear weapon dropped on the festival ‘would immediately remove from our country almost everybody who is hugely annoying.’ Rod added, for good measure: Given our current lack of
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