HE DANCED

his way around the Cabinet under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, but former Chancellor Lord Lamont admits his reallife ballroom skills will never be realised thanks to an intervention from his secretary. ‘I was asked to go on Strictly Come Dancing and my secretary declined on my behalf — without asking me,’ the 75-year-old tells me at a party sponsored by Brighton Gin. ‘I thought, right decision! I’d have given a different answer but I think she was very wise. I think I’d do far worse than Ed Balls.’