ANDREW PIERCE: With the cost-of-living crisis still the No 1 issue for most voters, Rishi Sunak walked into a trap when he tried to convince voters about the hardships he endured as a child. Once a day pupil at Winchester College - where annual fees are now £38,000 - he was widely mocked on social media after complaining in a TV interview that his family once had to forgo Sky TV. The PR blunder is why two former Tory chairmen are warning the party is making a mistake by pressing ahead with its summer gala at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in South-West London on Thursday. The club occupies a 42-acre estate next to the River Thames, with tennis courts and croquet lawns. Tables at the event cost up to £12,000. One ex-Tory chief whispers: 'Ministers seen quaffing champagne next to fabulously rich donors. A gift for Labour .' Sunak has deftly withdrawn, citing prior commitments. So why is it going ahead? Donations have collapsed even faster than the Tories ' poll ratings and they need the money. ...read
Andrew Pierce for The Mail on Sunday's recent articles
ANDREW PIERCE: George Galloway has 'Red Queen' Angela Rayner in his sights
ANDREW PIERCE: You may think she'd be dancing in the streets after the Tories suffered their worst local election results in 40 years, but Labour 's deputy leader Angela Rayner is worried. Not only is she continuing to feel the heat over whether she broke the law with her living arrangements in 2015, but now it also seems she may be in line for her very own 'Portillo moment'. Last week's results revealed a clear threat to her 4,200-strong majority in Ashton-under-Lyne . Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer 's stance on the war in Gaza led to the loss of neighbouring Oldham Council, and back in February, George Galloway and his 'Workers Party' won the by-election in nearby Rochdale. Galloway's party has already nabbed former cricketer Monty Panesar as a candidate in the next General Election. ...read
ANDREW PIERCE: 'Simple crofter' Ian Blackford is rolling in dough
The SNP MP was revealed last week to have the second largest haul of Parliamentary expenses - at £242,000 - which covers staff, travel and accommodation, writes ANDREW PIERCE. ...read
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