Deputy Labour Leader hopeful Lucy Powell was on Newsnight calling for a “cultural reset” over there being too many blokes around Keir Starmer. Here we go…
Asked if there were too many men in Number 10, Powell said:
“We need a cultural reset and not have a narrower and narrower group of people at the top of the party who then groupthink. The sort of anonymous briefings that come from blokes is a culture that I want to end.”
Powell then hit back at her rival Phillipson’s claim that she would “destabilise” the party if elected, saying: “It’s quite ludicrous. I was in the government until about five minutes ago. I’ve loyally served this government.” Gloves are off…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”