Despite Sir Keir promising Labour won’t get party political during the Coronavirus crisis, it seems some Corbynistas haven’t got the message. As LBC reported this morning, in April Labour Kensington Councillor Ian Henderson appeared in an uncontroversial video with the Tory MP Felicity Buchan helping a local food bank. With his finger firmly on the pulse of public mood, Kensington Labour’s Group Whip, Sina Lari, swiftly sent a formal warning to Councillor Henderson, threatening that Labour’s governance board would be informed of the appearance. He has been told, in effect, to socially distance himself from the Tories…
The letter sent by Lari claims:
“It is in the Tories’ interests to appear that they are working cross-party in order for them to satisfy the standards set by the Taskforce, LGA and other bodies which have been keeping track of Council performance… Pandemic or no pandemic, you should seek formal advice and approval before appearing in media and publicity done by the Conservatives.”
God forbid Councillor Henderson try helping those in need over virtue signalling for partisan advantage again…
As Guido revealed back in January, the Director of Communications at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government had been suspended from her role in the midst of a row over alleged bullying. Now Kirsty Buchanan, ex-political editor at the Sunday Express and also a former SpAd to Theresa May, has formally left the role she had been suspended from after less than a year in the role. An MHCLG spokesperson told PR Week: “We do not comment on staffing issues.”
Guido understands that, following a civil service investigation during the election, top Government aide Kirsty Buchanan has been suspended from her role as Director of Communications at the Ministry for Communities, Housing, and Local Government, in the midst of a row over alleged bullying. Buchanan was previously head of political press in Number 10 under Theresa May. Not the best look given MHCLG’s remit for community cohesion…
Tory conference finally saw the energy and passion it has been lacking this week courtesy of the InHouse Communications karaoke night. Partygoers witnessed peak Matt Hancock as he took to the stage to sing Happy Birthday to himself, before performing a high octane duet of Don’t Stop Me Now with Therese Coffey (watch above). James Cleverly and Kelly Tolhurst attempted Don’t Go Breaking My Heart before Clevz redeemed himself with a more impressive rendition of Twist and Shout, complete with memorable hip action. Will Quince demonstrated surprising depth as he had the room hand-waving to My Way. Nigel Evans gave us Delilah, David Mundell just about made his way through 500 Miles and a Brexit-backing cross-party trio of Paul Scully, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Ian Paisley Jnr had the room rocking to Sweet Caroline. Then it was the turn of the Lobby…
Faisal Islam took great pleasure in adapting the lyrics of Don’t Look Back in Anger to belt out “So, Boris can wait” – just the latest MSM smear. Dan Hodges and Glen Owen teamed up with Number 10 Sunday Lobby specialist Kirsty Buchanan to murder Mr Brightside. An emotional David Wooding, one arm raised aloft, sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, the only time he’ll be able to do that in Manchester. The night ended with Number 10’s Richard “Tricky” Jackson nailing You Raise Me Up. Hic…
+ Kirsty Buchanan to No.10 +
+ Davis Hires Stewart Jackson +
+ Tim Smith to DexEU +
Guido can reveal a raft of new senior special adviser appointments. The new Number 10 press secretary is Paul Harrison, an experienced SpAd who moves from the Department of Health. He is well-respected and a grown up who knows the Lobby. Harrison will be joined in Downing Street by Kirsty Buchanan, formerly a SpAd at the Ministry of Justice and a former political editor of the Sunday Express. She will be working on Number 10’s political press team. A significant beefing up of Theresa May’s spin operation.
Tim Smith, currently a Number 10 press aide, is moving to the Brexit Department to be David Davis’ new media SpAd. A very important job for the next few years and an appointment which shows the close relationship between DexEU and Number 10. Guido is happy to confirm Stewart Jackson is also joining DexEU as DD’s chief of staff – you read it here first. A true Brexit believer and a very encouraging appointment for any Leavers worried the department is going soft – sorry Remainers.
The new Downing Street regime is quickly getting on the front foot. As well as the new personnel, there has been a steady stream of positive government announcements and news stories over the last couple of weeks – the ban on petrol and diesel cars today the latest example. It’s as if Number 10 has a proper grid for the first time in a long time. The Tories and CCHQ also successfully weaponised the Corbyn student debt shambles – this has been one of their best weeks in ages, a few more weeks like this during the election campaign and the result might have been very different. Punchy, aggressive… a welcome, much-needed change of tempo…
