Last night, the usual suspects in the Lobby assembled at the Speaker’s House for the bi-annual Press Gallery drinks—an affair once known for its fizz and flair, hosted by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle. Though this time was a far more humble gathering compared to last…
The Winter Press Reception saw champagne on ice and a selection of cocktails from French 75s to spritzers flowing freely. Instead, hacks had to make do with the modest trio of Prosecco, beer, or cranberry juice. Hoyle himself made light of the downgrade in his address to the Lobby, blaming “whoever did that FOI” that revealed the Speaker ‘s office splashed £3,533 on food and booze for the last one. Unsurprisingly, tightening of the purse strings left the room notably emptier than before. As one hack put it: ‘life under Labour’…
In the first act of a new Parliament, a Speaker has to be elected. After the opening rituals, MPs re-confirmed Lindsay Hoyle to the post. With a majority that large, Labour likely won’t need Hoyle for more “grubby tricks“. That said, you never know…
Starmer loyalist and Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Sky News that Starmer should not be replaced:
“We saw what the Tories did. They were in power for 14 years, and after 2016, I think we had nine education secretaries, seven chancellors, and five Prime Ministers. Doomscrolling through Prime Ministers doesn’t resolve the problem.”