Downing Street
Downing Street’s class divide
Last week I chided those in SW1 who were criticising David Cameron for appointing yet more Old Etonians to his staff without first checking their own teams for signs of blue… Continue reading
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Chris Lockwood to join new Number 10 policy unit
Downing Street has pulled off a coup with the recruitment of Chris Lockwood, the US editor of The Economist, to the new Downing Street policy unit. Lockwood is one of… Continue reading
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Once civil servants have praised one Prime Minister, they must praise them all
Sir Jeremy Heywood and Sir Bob Kerslake have penned a civil service tribute to Margaret Thatcher in today’s Telegraph. They laud her as the ‘best kind of boss.’ They are… Continue reading
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Is Andrew Mitchell the right man for Britain in Europe?
It now looks almost certain that Andrew Mitchell will be our next EU Commissioner in 2014. The job was not advertised and the backroom selection process remains a mystery. In… Continue reading
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Key David Cameron aide to quit Downing Street
Sky News has revealed tonight that Rohan Silva, one of the Prime Minister’s key advisers, is leaving Downing Street. Silva might not be a household name but he has been… Continue reading
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The ‘bedroom tax’ shows Downing Street does need a Damian McBride character
MPs are debating that Cut With the Awkward Name, the Under-occupation of Social Housing: Housing Benefit Entitlement, also known by its opponents as the ‘bedroom tax’, this afternoon. I’ve already… Continue reading
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Mid-term review: A return to the rose garden?
‘David Cameron and Nick Clegg get coalition better than anyone else in the government’ one Downing Street aide remarked to me recently, and watching the two men at today’s press… Continue reading
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A satisfactory outcome at the EU budget talks for David Cameron
So, the EU budget summit has — as expected — broken up without agreement. We await the date of the next discussion of the matter. But for the moment it… Continue reading
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Dame Helen Ghosh and the elite cupcakes
Dame Helen Ghosh’s words about women and David Cameron’s government have put Downing Street backs up this afternoon. Dame Helen, whose Civil Service career spanned thirty-three years culminated in a… Continue reading
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Change at Number 10
Gabby Bertin is one of David Cameron’s long-marchers; she has been with him since he won the leadership in 2005. Bertin has acted as his political spokeswoman for the last… Continue reading
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Prime Minister auditions as his own press officer after shambolic week
In between confusing the Chamber just a little bit more on his European policy this afternoon, David Cameron appeared to be auditioning to work as his own press officer, reading… Continue reading
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Are you a ‘suspicious striver’?
I have always wanted to be part of that tranche of voters identified by pollsters as being crucial in general elections. But it never happens. Every few years arseholes in… Continue reading
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Dre departing?
Mr Steerpike is now available weekly in the magazine. This one’s been getting them talking today: It’s a hat-trick! Word reaches me that Dave may be about to lose his… Continue reading
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The Downing Street reshuffle
It is not just ministers who are being moved around today: the Downing Street operation is also changing around. Though the people involved in these moves are less well-known than… Continue reading
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Downing Street humbled by Mo Farah
The genius of Mo Farah was only underscored by the plodding stupidity of Downing Street’s statements about the “All Must Have Prizes” culture this weekend. If this is the culture… Continue reading
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Sneaking a peek at the beach volleyball
The Olympic beach volleyball is situated just behind Downing Street on Horse Guards Parade, and as such is perfectly located for a politician wishing to take an hour or so… Continue reading
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The EU referendum, you read it here first
Many Spectator subscribers, picking up today’s newspapers, will be a bit puzzled. Is it news that David Cameron has come round to the idea of an EU referendum? Haven’t they… Continue reading
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Winning back lost ground
In a bid to make Tory MPs feel more involved, Downing Street is inviting small groups of them to see Andrew Cooper, David Cameron’s director of political strategy, and Stephen… Continue reading
37 CommentsSpinner unspun
UPDATE: The below video has now been taken down from YouTube, but Guido has another copy here. Guido was first to this video of Downing St’s Director of Communications, Craig… Continue reading
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The expenses spotlight falls on Baroness Warsi
If David Cameron had a list of headlines he doesn’t want to see, I’m sure ‘Top Tory in expenses scandal’ would be near the top of it. Yet that’s what… Continue reading
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