SAJID Javid seemed to launch his leadership bid at a speech at the CPS thinktank summer party last night. The former health secretary who resigned from Government on Tuesday, took credit for the wave of resignations which followed, saying “I believe the vast majority of my collegaues agree with what I’ve said and we’re seeing the consequences of that now as we speak”.
Javid said it “gave him no pleasure” to make his anti-Boris Johnson speech in Parliament, but his party “could be facing a 1997-style general election catastrophe unless we change.” Javid revealed that he’d sent Margaret Thatcher flowers during her similar woes in 1990.
He also signalled a turn Right, saying “no Government can mitigate the impacts” of the global economic downturn for everyone, suggesting instead growth via tax cuts. Up the road outside the Red Lion pub, the odds on the next Tory leader were on a blackboard. Javid was fourth on 8/1.
Bad Lulu Lytle news for the PM
HOW transferable is Lulu Lytle decor? Boris Johnson famously spent large sums with the interior decorator, whose wallpaper costs £840 a roll, to redecorate the Downing Street flat. Now he will be leaving, The Londoner called her company this morning to ask if they could be moved to a new property. “Unfortunately, I don’t think that would be possible, but I’ll double check,” we were told.
Morgan goes whole hog
As BRITAIN had a politics-induced nervous breakdown last night, Piers Morgan went too far for some by holding a piglet on his TalkTV show. Johnson was called the “greased piglet” by David Cameron, though he may have lost that moniker now. Peta told us it was inhumane, while one wag joked: “Animal cruelty to the pig having to hear Piers Morgan from that close.”
Anne-Marie on free school meals
ANNE-Marie sang for lucky kids at Surrey Square school in Walworth yesterday as part of a Caring Family Foundation free school meals effort. Saying she didn’t have much money in her own school days, the star told us: “It’s quite awkward when your friends have got more and you’re not really fitting in.” She went on: “It should be something that is there for everyone.” When only the pop stars are talking sense…
Pride and media parties
SINGER Ella Eyre peered through the scenery at a pride party held by brand Kiehl’s & charity Just Like Us last night. Actor Dot Williams was there too. Meanwhile singer RAYE was at an Amazon Dream House day in Shoreditch. Elsewhere, while news raged outside, presenters Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, and Rochelle and Marvin Humes were at The TRIC Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel, which celebrate TV and radio. They were joined by Fearne Cotton, Katie Piper and Ainsley Harriott.
