The dastardly Mr Deedes
Podgy sports Direct tycoon Mike ashley hits out at Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget, describing his attempt to help the High street last month as ‘the work of a child.’ Perhaps theresa May should consider making ashley a business tsar. the useless stiffs on Whitehall who’ve made such a ballsup of Brexit would certainly benefit from the thirsty bruiser’s whip hand. and as Us president lyndon Johnson said of FBI chief J edgar Hoover: ‘It’s probably better to have him inside the tent p ****** out, than outside the tent p ****** in.’
Like Japanese soldiers in the Pacific unaware the war is lost, a letter from City dignitaries appeared in yesterday’s Financial Times demanding a second vote on Brexit. The signatories were all the usual suspects – millionaire PR man Roland Rudd; ex-Lloyd’s of London gargoyle John Nelson; ‘City Superwoman’-cum-Liberal Democrat stooge Nicola Horlick. Yawn, yawn. Why continue with these selfimportant missives? It’s not like they did any good during the referendum.
lastminute founder Baroness lane Fox will guest edit (groan) Radio 4’s today programme this Christmas, looking at what influence silicon Valley has had on our daily lives. What impact has Westminster-educated Martha, 45, had on our daily lives since David Cameron anointed her a peer in 2013? Not a great deal by the looks of things. Her voting record over the past year stands at a measly 16pc. ‘Below average,’ deems the website they work for you.
The new Lord Mayor of London, Barclays adviser Peter Estlin, is in for a busy year. In his arduous (not to mention unpaid) ceremonial role, he can expect to make some 800 speeches promoting the City of London. Yesterday, he visited Tec Marina, an ‘innovation hub’ near Cardiff. ‘Hugely enjoyed my visit,’ he tweets. Pace yourself, Peter!
Firebrand socialist John McDonnell’s presumptuous assertion he won’t live in Downing street ‘when’ he’s Chancellor of the exchequer, wouldn’t make him the first labour minister not to do so. Former premier Ramsay MacDonald didn’t care for Number 10, instead preferring to remain at home in Hampstead. He travelled back from Westminster each evening on the london Underground. another time, another time.