The latest grim reading for Labour from the Camden New Journal’s Richard Osley. He reports that at the last meeting of Labour members in Hampstead and Kilburn, some present opposed the room standing for a minute’s silence for the late Tessa Jowell, who was obviously a moderate close ally of Tony Blair. Osley says there was “muttering” during the silence and then calls for a rival minute’s silence for Gaza:
“The issue of whether members should stand for a period of silence to remember Tessa Jowell… was a matter of some dispute. Sources said they were distressed to hear muttering and mumbling as the peace was broken during this time for reflection. Some with unwilling to take part at all in marking the passing of a politician who had worked closely with Tony Blair. Members, by several accounts, then asked for another’s minute of silence, after a call of ‘what about the people of Gaza’ rang out; the meeting was a couple of days after the border shootings by Israeli forces.”
Kinder, gentler politics…
David Cameron and Tessa Jowell cross the world famous crossing outside Abbey Road Studios. pic.twitter.com/WoQ8uYCLID
— Jack Maidment (@jrmaidment) May 20, 2016
On Craig Oliver’s grid today it is “culture”. Luvvies against leaving is the theme, “Back in the EUSSR” the tune, Cameron is getting by with a little help from his friend (Tessa). Dave’s hoping we can’t work it out – all we need is Leave….
Worth noting that on the day Downing Street have decided to talk about culture, the Eurosceptic Culture minister has been sent to China on government business. Guido hears Whitto was not told about today’s events when they put him on the plane…
Among those walking through the Aye lobby as Labour voted to ban MPs from holding paid directorships and consultancies was Dame Tessa Jowell. So strongly does Tessa feel about MPs’ “double jobbing” at consultancy firms, that she is paid £1,000 an hour working for… Mentore Consulting. On their website Jowell’s services are advertised to clients: “she has a great commitment to the development of talent and sharing the lessons of experience”, “making a difference to the diversity of senior leadership”. Of course, any clampdown on outside earnings won’t affect Tessa because she’s standing down at the election. Leaving her free to tell colleagues: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
