It’s trouble in paradise for Labour as Starmer’s Chief of Staff Sue Gray continues to cause conflict within Downing Street. Guido hears SpAds still haven’t been able to sign their official contracts, causing further frustration and fury among aides. As one Whitehall insider remarked, “they better get on with it”… 

SpAds have reportedly decided to unionise following complaints of pay cuts and work overload as many departments seem to have fewer aides than they did under the Tories. The recent public sector pay raises may have given some inspiration…

While Number 10 denies that Gray is involved in setting SpAd terms and pay, it’s no secret that frustrations with their roles are directed at her. SpAds have labelled Gray a “control freak,” blaming her for the delays in formal contract approvals. Still, it seems they are making the most of the hold up by upping negotiations. Until then, Labour aides will have to make do with working under strict probationary terms instead…

Guido has uncovered the threat of mass of US-style class action lawsuits under Labour, thanks in part to measures included in Angela Rayner’s ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’, targeting job creators and high street businesses (making it easier to sue them on political grounds). Labour’s extensive links to the lefty lawfare industry are unravelling…

Word is spreading as councils and companies face ever-increasing legal demands – and a recent appointment by Starmer won’t calm nerves. On Thursday, Sir Keir promoted Catherine Smith KC to one of the highest legal positions in the land: Advocate General for Scotland. Smith is Labour royalty: not only is she the daughter of former Labour leader John Smith (a red princess to match Labour’s collection of red princes), but she is yet another experienced claimant lawyer, specialising in “personal injury, clinical negligence and judicial review cases.” A speciality which often means clobbering employers and businesses with expensive legal action…

Starmer has once again promoted a claimant lawyer to a top role. Packing the place with lefty activist lawyers, no wonder UK firms think the shine is coming off Labour’s attempt to woo business…

Labour is set to impose the requirement on companies to allow “compressed working” when requested by employees. The “Plan to Make Work Pay” will work to prevent businesses to reject the demands where possible. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said this morning that ministers “think that flexible working is actually good for productivity.” The evidence so far isn’t exactly inspiring…

The government has crafted the plans in “close consultation” with trade unions who are campaigning for a full four-day week across the public sector, too. Analysis from the TaxPayer’s Alliance of union proposals finds that they would cost a whopping £30 billion per year if applied. Around a 15% rise in productivity would be needed to counter that. There’s a long way to go on that one…

At the current rate ministers will “get round the table to reduce the working week” before Christmas. Civil Servants will be jumping with joy…

Its trouble in paradise for Labour as the Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a “reprimand” against the party for failing to respond to personal data requests in time. In 2022, Labour received 352 subject access requests (SARs), of which 78% have not had a response within the maximum time frame of 3 months. One wonders why…

After a cyber-attack in 2021, hundreds flocked to Labour to ask what personal details the party had on them, and now after over 150 complaints, an investigation into the party has been launched. Deputy Director of the ICO Stephen Bonner hit out at Labour:

“Being able to ask an organisation ‘what information do you hold on me?’ and ‘how it is being used?’ is a fundamental right, which provides both transparency and accountability. It is vital that organisations do not underestimate the importance of responding to these requests on time. The public need to fully trust that a political party will handle their data correctly and respect their information rights.”

Labour’s lack of transparency is fast becoming their signature move…

The news of the Gallagher brothers getting back together for an Oasis British Isles Tour has united the country in ways that no party can. Guido thought to look back on the tune of Noel Gallagher’s political views that fans might be a bit of a Headshrinker for those Oasis lefty lovers…

• On Brexit: “There’s only f***ing one thing worse than a fool who voted for Brexit. That’s the rise of the c***s trying to get the vote overturned. You take part in a democratic f***ing process — if you don’t like the outcome, go to North Korea.” Definitely, Maybe going to wind up David Lammy with that one…
• On Trump: “I find Donald Trump f***ing hilarious. Purely from somebody speaking from across the Atlantic, it’s an amazing thing to watch.” Lefty revellers may not be so pleased with his view of politicians Half the World Away…
• On Corbyn: “F*** Jeremy Corbyn. He’s a Communist.” Take that look from off your face, Corbynistas…
• On the Labour Party in 2019: “I hate the Labour Party. I have f***ing got no time for them anymore.”
• On the Labour Party in 2021:“I f***ing hate the Labour Party, they’re a f***ing disgrace. They’ve betrayed the working classes, they’ve betrayed ordinary people and they’ve allowed this shower to run the country for however long they’ve f***ing run the country. The modern Labour Party is middle-class ****s who f***ing hate the working class, they hate them, it’s as simple as that.” Listen Up, Starmer…

Perhaps that’s why Starmer was so gauche about the brothers getting back together today. He may be looking back in anger…

Labour just can’t get enough of their previous political staff handed supposedly neutral civil service jobs. In what is now becoming a major scandal, ministers are failing to justify the provision of mass-Labour donor Waheed Alli with a Downing Street pass and Labour aides are entering the civil service in droves. It’s not just Sue Gray bringing on her loyalists…

Wes Streeting’s political press officer Joe Davies, employed by the Labour Party in the four months to election, was handed a civil service media relations role this month. DHSC deploys the usual line when asked about this parachute job by Guido: “The department does not comment on individual personnel matters. Any appointments are made in line with the civil service rules on recruitment.” The department has not denied that the job was given without interview. Normally ministers’ civil service press teams are composed of impartial civil servants…

If the job wasn’t advertised externally, what exception was used? Who signed off on the exception? Did Streeting make a declaration of interest? 

Starmer’s line when asked at his ‘State of the Nation’ speech was that “most of these allegations are coming from the very people who dragged the country down in the first place.” Which is complete nonsense as it’s the press, not Tories, digging out these appointments…

Guido is told that, while donor Ian Corfield’s crony civil service appointment won’t be going ahead, Jess Sargeant’s position in the Propriety and Constitution Group hasn’t changed. There’s no stopping this train…