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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

Like a rural bank manager, Sideshow Mel wades into the Tory battle for irrelevance

Mel Stride.
‘Mel Stride is not as bright as he looks. And he doesn’t look very bright.’ Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Some things in life you just don’t see coming. Like a lottery win. Like Spurs winning a European trophy. You can now add to those two: Mel Stride getting a full house for one of his speeches. Not even standing room was available.

This just doesn’t happen to Mel. Normally you can book him a broom cupboard and there will still be plenty of space. His reputation for never saying anything of interest precedes him. Just not today. Maybe it was a slow news day. Maybe the refreshments on offer at the Royal Society of Arts were top dollar.

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