Boris was the toast of Westminster’s elite last night, as the former Prime Minister made a grand entrance (albeit 45 minutes late, as is his usual form) at the swanky Institute of Directors on Pall Mall for the launch of his book, “Unleashed”. The room was packed with hacks and cabinet ministers of past and present. Of the leadership hopefuls, only Cleverly showed up, managing to sneak a snap with the former Prime Minister. Doesn’t mean it’s an endorsement from BoJo, though..
Boris’ speech was (characteristically) peppered with jokes. He quipped his publisher commissioned Starmer to write his vision for Britain for £18,000 in advance but, unable to produce anything, he returned the money – “ a totally uncharacteristic decision” – that paid for the launch party. The former PM then went on to reflect on the string of “random events” that derailed his reign:
“If only Dylan the dog had not so rudely rogered the leg of one of my senior advisors…If only I had not gone out to an excessively convivial dinner with Charles Moore and others after the triumphant UK chairmanship of COP26…If only my friend Chris Pincher had not allowed his hand to wander freely. If only, above all, a certain short-sighted pangolin had not made a pass at a bat in a cave in Wuhan, or possibly a lab, or wherever it went. “
One insider who was in the room said:
“It was classic Boris on best form, the room was rammed, as the misery of the Tory leadership drags on, everyone left thinking: what the hell did we get rid of him for?”
If only, Boris said, he could “have saved this country from an insane Marxist Labour party.” He went on to tease: “I feel it would be much better if I was to run the show”. Never say never…
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.”