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The nickname “two-tier Keir” is already being bandied about in many tongues, but will its use in everyday language become irreversible?
I ask this in the wake of a remarkable revelation made by one of Sir Keir Starmer’s government ministers: Jess Phillips, the loquacious Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley.
At an event billed unequivocally as An Evening with Jess Phillips, held at the Kiln Theatre in north London, Phillips recounted an episode from her personal medical history that suggests it may not just be policing that is guided by a “two-tier” approach, but also, perhaps, the treatment dispensed by the National Health Service.
Describing a distressing episode in which she struggled to breathe – “my lips had turned blue and I couldn’t breathe,” she recalled – Phillips, 42, explained she had sought urgent treatment at A&E in a Birmingham hospital.
The minister was met with scenes of appalling overcrowding. “I have actually seen better facilities, health centres, in war zones, in developing countries around the world,” she continued. However, she eventually made it to the front of the queue.
Jess Phillips (left) recounted an episode from her personal medical history that suggests not only surveillance could be guided by a “two-tier” approach, but also, perhaps, treatment provided by the National Health Service.
Phillips resigned from his Labour Party post to vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza five weeks after Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis. Pictured: the southern Israeli town of Sderot on October 25, 2023
But, she says, there were “no doubt” two reasons for this: “I was able to get through it because of who I am. And the doctor who treated me happened to be Palestinian. Almost all the doctors in Birmingham seemed to be Palestinian.”
While in opposition, Phillips resigned from his Labour Party seat to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza, five weeks after Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis (many of whom were maimed or raped) and took another 120 hostage.
His vote, he said, was the other reason he received preferential treatment.
“He said something like, ‘I like you. You voted for a ceasefire. ‘ I was able to move on faster because of that.”
Far from reflecting on how MPs who voted against the ceasefire – let alone a Jewish citizen – would have fared, Phillips, whose majority in the last election plummeted from 10,659 to just 693, with George Galloway’s Workers’ Party in second place, continued his account of his treatment.
She declines the opportunity to comment further, which is presumably evidence of a two-tiered policy for speaking one’s mind.
Give a thought to Sadiq Khanwho despises the effect of social media on his life.
“My generation of politicians has had the hardest time,” laments the Mayor of London. “Algorithms monetise negative hate, social media companies fail to remove disinformation.”
Pointing out that young people get their news from TikTokAnd he adds: “It is a challenge for us.”
Sadiq Khan (pictured earlier this month) is dismissive of the effect of social media on his life. “My generation of politicians has had it the hardest,” the London mayor laments. “Algorithms monetise negative hate; social media companies don’t remove misinformation.”
It’s been a long and winding road, but at 82, Sir Paul McCartney has started wearing head protection when he goes horse riding.
“Finally I have a helmet,” says the Beatles legend, thanking his wife Nancy and daughter Mary for inspiring him to invest in a “stylish new hat.”
“Nancy and Mary were wearing helmets and all the grandchildren were wearing helmets, so I thought I’d be sensible.” It was a smart move.
The bond between the conservative nobleman and Fleming’s great-niece
conservative Colleague Zac Goldsmith and his girlfriend Hum Fleming, the great-niece of 007 creator Ian, have not been short of flamenco spirit on their romantic holiday in Spain.
In a snap shared online by PR guru Hum, Lord Goldsmith, 49, sports a traditional wide-brimmed black hat as he embraces her.
The father of six, who split from banking heiress Alice Rothschild last year, recently referred to Hum, who is 15 years his junior, as his “future wife.”
It must be love.
Zac Goldsmith and Hum Fleming, the great-niece of 007 creator Ian, take their relationship a step further by wearing matching folkloric outfits during the holidays.
Jeff was angry about his role as Zeus
Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum was a little confused about his role as Zeus, king of the Greek gods, in Netflix’s new dark comedy, Kaos.
The Jurassic Park actor, 71, who joined co-star Janet McTeer for the show’s dinner and drinks at the Old Sessions House in London, admits: “I came on the first day with The Cat in the Hat.”
He adds: “I had done some research and they said, ‘Jeff, why do you rhyme everything in such a whimsical way? It’s Zeus, not Dr. Seuss, you moron.'”
Jeff Goldblum, 71, who joined co-star Janet McTeer for dinner and drinks at the Old Sessions House in London, admits: “I came on the first day with The Cat in the Hat.” Jeff and Janet are pictured together on August 28, 2024 in London
Viscount Hinchingbrooke and his wife Julie Montagu kindly allow the public to walk their dogs on their 2,000-acre estate in Mapperton, Dorset.
However, I have heard that your kindness has been abused.
“Unfortunately our lovely white runner duck who was at Mapperton for ten years was chased by a terrier dog,” explains Julie.
“The owner saw this happening and the duck was flapping its wings. The owner took the duck in her hands and strangled it… the owner ran out, got in her car and drove away. We are deeply shocked.”
Unlike satirist Peter Cook, Peter Usborne rarely appeared on television.
But he was not only the business mastermind behind Private Eye magazine, he also became a surprisingly successful publisher of children’s books.
Seventeen months after his death, at the age of 85, his will records that he bequeathed £134 million.
His two main beneficiaries were his son, Martin, and his daughter, Nicola.
Wallis prefers puppies to parties
Is the party over for British model and actress Wallis Day, who is hanging up her heels to have fun at home?
“I’m enjoying this full life right now,” he says.
Wallis, 29, tells me: ‘I’ve been showering and relaxing at weekends instead of going out.’
Is the party over for British model and actress Wallis Day, who is hanging up her heels to have fun at home? The London-born star is making an appearance at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week in June this year.
He LondonThe American-born star, who appears in the upcoming reboot of 1980s action film Red Sonja, adds: “When I have breaks between filming, it’s nice to relax and have time at home.”
Her Shiba Inu dog, Arlo, is also part of her newfound love for a quiet life.
“There are things in my life that keep me grounded and my dog is one of them,” Wallis says.