The traditional attire of Lord Chancellors has become a topic of discussion, with former office holders expressing surprise at the varying costs of their ceremonial garments. The Lord Chancellor's role, one of England's oldest continuous offices dating back to the 11th century, requires the wearer to don a gold-embroidered robe of state, court coat, waistcoat, breeches, and wig for swearing-in ceremonies.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that while the Ministry of Justice provides the robe, the remaining items are rented at differing costs for each Lord Chancellor. Alex Chalk, whose attire cost £370, speculated whether the price discrepancy was due to "the number of fittings." Brandon Lewis, with a £739 bill, claimed ignorance of the expense, while David Gauke (£729) and David Lidington (£663) were equally perplexed. Lidington suggested that size differences might account for the variation, citing examples of Grayling and Truss. The current Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, has managed to keep costs down at £309.
In education news, the National Education Union, Europe's largest with over 450,000 members, has inadvertently highlighted the importance of proofreading. The union is organizing a fringe meeting at the upcoming Liberal Democrats conference in Brighton, posing the question: "What should the Liberal Democrat's priorities on education be for the new parliament?" The irony of the misplaced apostrophe has not gone unnoticed.
A lighthearted tradition in British politics has come to light, with former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaving a note for his successor, Rachel Reeves, about a confectionery vending machine in Downing Street. This custom of leaving notes for successors dates back to the 1960s. Hunt's children apparently cherished this feature of their Downing Street residence, even receiving personal cards for the machine. Treasury sources report that Reeves' children have also taken a liking to this sweet perk.
The "Wives, Husbands And Partners" (WHAP) group at Westminster has seen the return of Susie Cleverly to its leadership. The group, which provides support for the partners of the remaining 121 Conservative MPs, maintains a policy of in-person meetings only, with Cleverly citing concerns over potential leaks as the reason for avoiding digital communication platforms like WhatsApp, which boasts over 2 billion active users worldwide as of 2024.
The retirement of David Owen from the House of Lords marks the end of an era for the "Gang of Four." This group of Labour moderates, including Owen, Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams, and Bill Rodgers, formed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1981. The SDP-Liberal Alliance gained 25.4% of the vote in the 1983 general election but won only 23 seats. Owen's final contribution in the Lords suggested a bold diplomatic move involving UK and French nuclear capabilities.
"In an hilarious turn of events, while I was carrying all my stuff in a tray to a counter at Glasgow Airport security, my trousers fell down and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it."
On a lighter note, various public figures have shared amusing anecdotes. Noel Gallagher, of Oasis fame, expressed his preference for simple, home-cooked meals over gourmet cuisine. Political commentator Quentin Letts inadvertently contributed to the £2.2 billion annual cost of shoplifting in the UK with an accidental lettuce theft, jokingly referencing former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who holds the record for the shortest tenure at 45 days.