Co-conspirators walking past Downing Street today may have spotted something missing. There is no NATO flag on NATO day…
Under previous PMs the distinctive NATO flag, which has given hope to millions, was put up alongside the Union Flag every 4 April. What message does such a snub send to international partners in these tumultuous times?
The Ukraine flag is up of course. Guido called the Downing Street press office to ascertain what was going on. No explanation was forthcoming. No 10 just insists it is committed to the 76-year-old alliance. They’ve even sent their best man – Lammy – to the NATO conference in Brussels…
There is currently a row over Downing Street’s spin last night that its negotiating work had lowered tariffs from Trump: “We don’t want any tariffs at all, but a lower levy than others vindicates our approach.” This was lapped up last night by Lobby hacks who hailed the Starmer-Trump White House meeting as an unmitigated triumph. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp jumped on that one this morning…
When Starmer’s spokesman was asked to defend that claim at midday the line had changed: “It’s up to the US to set out the reasons behind their tariff decision…. It’s a fact the UK received the lowest rate… direct questions to the US on their calculations.” The US has an elucidation of its own…
The explanation from the White House is: “The numbers have been calculated by the Council of Economic Advisers … based on the concept that the trade deficit that we have with any given country is the sum of all trade practices, the sum of all cheating.” I.e. nothing to do with negotiations…
This is why there is no rate lower than 10%, which is the base rate. Some charm offensive…
Back in January Guido reported on unrest within Starmer’s Downing Street communications operation. Not surprising given the more-than-rocky start to Starmer’s “change” government…
Now-former Director of Communications Matthew Doyle was blamed along with Sue Gray for botching the “grid” for the disastrous first 100 days and things didn’t get much easier afterwards. The Guardian this morning says Doyle “is understood to have decided to go after feeling he had stabilised No 10’s communications strategy and narrative over the past few months, following the turbulence of the early days in government.” Cruel, that…
Rumours were circulating since the New Year that James Lyons was being lined up to replace Doyle, former deputy head of communications in Blair’s No 10, with the consensus among fresher-faced senior officials that he was “out of his depth.” Starmer has finally dropped the axe. Doyle can rest now – maybe on some plush red benches…
No 10 Communications Director Matthew Doyle is “standing down” after nine months. Shown the door…
That’s the second high-ranking departure including Gray. Comms director and Chief of Staff gone before a year passes…
Doyle’s job will be split in two. Deputy communications director Steph Driver will now be director of communications (delivery) while James Lyons will be director of communications (strategy). All change…
Over the last seven days 1,497 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats. The figure for this year so far at 4,131 is the highest ever…
Maybe it’s with that in mind that Downing Street has begun to advertise for a new migration tsar in the policy unit to work “at the very heart of government, advising the Prime Minister and the No 10 team on migration and resettlement policy.” The “rare and exciting opportunity” has a wide brief:
For that Downing Street is offering its new Deputy Director, Migration (No10 Policy Unit) £76,000-£117,800 and a £22,017 gold-plated benefit scheme. A rapid hiring deadline – apply by Wednesday 19 March…
Ironically the role is open to EU nationals as well as Turkish nationals. While it insists its plan on migration is working the government is hiring someone to come up with a new one…
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith lent some lukewarm support to Richard Hermer on LBC this morning after yesterday’s robust comments from Labour peer Maurice Glasman:
“One of the things about the House of Lords is that people don’t tend to sort of get into scraps like that. But Lord Hermer can look after himself. He’s the Attorney General of the government. His job is to provide the sort of legal backing and advice for ministers like me to get on with my job. And I think we’ll all be doing that today.”
Yesterday afternoon Downing Street refused to say Hermer would be in post at the next election, saying they are “obviously not going to get into going through every member of the Cabinet.” Briefings against the Attorney General from inside government are beginning to ramp up…
Downing Street has guaranteed the positions of David Lammy and Rachel Reeves for the duration of the parliament when they were subject to press attention. No such protection for Starmer’s mate…
As the United States ‘gets real’ about which states are on its side and which aren’t Guido has revealed that Hermer doesn’t even believe the Special Relationship exists. With Starmer leaving the door open for a future sacking the view of some insiders is that ‘unbearable‘ Hermer is not long for the SW1 world…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”