As strikes in the National Health Service roll on, Health Secretary Steve Barclay and Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands will be making time to attend an “anniversary celebration dinner” for the NHS at the exclusive Carlton Club in St James.
The dinner, on the anniversary of the NHS’s founding in July, will be hosted by Conservative Friends of NHS, whose purpose is “linking front line NHS workers to Conservatives”. Tickets start at £130. The members’ only club is closely linked with the Tories. Many MPs like to drink there and former leaders get honorary membership. A scandal at the club last year involving former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher helped bring down Boris Johnson’s government.
Found footage of young Starmer
Diggers in the ITN archive have found footage of a fresh-faced Keir Starmer calling for judges and lawyers to be stripped of their wigs and gowns. In 1994, young barrister Starmer told ITN News: “it’s time that the court system became much more of a place where the ordinary person feels they can go.” He called for the average courtroom to be “much more like a GP’s health centre.” Perhaps this was just a flutter of youthful idealism. Or is it an example of something Starmer hasn’t changed his mind on over the years? He also used to believe in getting rid of the Royal Family, saying in 2005: “I got made a Queen’s Counsel, which is odd since I often used to propose the abolition of the monarchy.”
A vacancy at the Palace
The King is looking for a new assistant private secretary. For £70,000 a year, he wants a senior civil servant with a deep knowledge of current affairs. It’s a different approach from the Prince and Princess of Wales — the Princess has recently been courting celebrity PRs on her hunt for a new private secretary. “The highest standards are not just expected — they’re essential”, thunders the job advert.
UK and Ukraine host Eurovision ‘simul-rave’
The UK and Ukraine will host a simul-rave (simultaneous rave) to celebrate the Eurovision final. “Rave UKraine” organiser Jez Collins says it’s “an act of resilience and a party with a purpose”. On May 7, the rave will kick off in two clubs separated by 1,400 miles: HLVL in Kyiv, where the DJ Mingulitka will play, and Content Liverpool, where Hot Chip will perform. Budmo!
Fashionistas’ nod to royals
Last night some of the fashion industry’s top dogs enjoyed a private view of Crown to Couture, an exhibition of royal and celebrity showpieces at Kensington Palace. Vogue editor Edward Enninful and businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla were there with Condé Nast notable Vanessa Kingori and Michelle Anselmo. Singer Boy George and hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness from Netflix’s Queer Eye and also appeared.
