Parish news: I was asked if I would consider a job at No10. Nice to be asked but have decided not to apply. Have great job at BBC.

— James Landale (@BBCJLandale) July 5, 2017

Big news for Downing Street. Leaves the BBC’s Westminster chief Robbie Gibb as the strong favourite…

Theresa May still does not have a Director of Communications following the departure of Katie Perrior at the election. There is a feeling in the government that she needs a star hire to communicate with the media and bring some gravitas to Number 10. As ever Guido brings you your runners and riders…

• Chris Wilkins: May’s strategy chief was lined up for the role and has been filling in over the last few weeks. Highly regarded in Number 10. But it looks like they’re going for someone else…
• Robbie Gibb: Head of BBC Westminster and boss of the Beeb’s main political programmes. Would bring much-needed broadcast news judgement and experience. Being tipped by government figures. [UPDATE: And The Sun.]
• James Landale: Tipped by the Spectator as the celeb signing. His name has been doing the rounds among excitable Tories. Old Etonian…
• James Slack: May’s civil service spokesman was linked to the job. Gets on well with the Lobby and has been holding things together in Number 10 at times. But he is said to be staying put as PMOS.
• Joey Jones: Has been more nuanced in his criticisms of the May regime compared to other former colleagues. A pro with important broadcast experience. Doubt they can afford him.
• Iain Dale: Experienced, former chief of staff for David Davis, could ease the transition of power? Very pro-Theresa May… 
• Laura Kuenssberg: If you believe the Corbynistas…

Good luck…

Parish notice: after 20+ years reporting UK politics, I am leaving Westminster to become Diplomatic Correspondent for BBC News

— James Landale (@BBCJLandale) March 15, 2016

Consistently and harshly overlooked for the top BBC politics jobs, Landale is off. He can come back when the PM isn’t also an Etonian… oh…

With Tom Bradby off to present the ITV News at Ten, a plum broadcasting job is in the offing. Mark Austin is said to be raging that he has been overlooked for the once promised flagship presenting gig…

A tight pool of names are being floated to replace Bradby as ITV Political Editor, including James Landale, Joey Jones, Chris Ship and Lucy Manning.

With Nick Robinson now unlikely to be making a move to the Today programme any time soon, his current deputy Lansdale is said to have itchy feet and is being talked about for the role.

Current ITV Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship wants it, and would be unlikely to stick around for long in the number 2 job if he is overlooked. That would leave a serious hole in an already stretched operation…

Sky’s Joey Jones’ name is in the frame after being pipped to the post – controversially – by Faisal Islam to the Sky News Pol Ed job and Lucy Manning is another name doing the rounds. Guido hears, however, that there is some serious bad blood at ITV in the manner in which Manning jumped over to the BBC before the election, shortly after being promoted to editor level at ITN…

It’s a hard one to call…