John McDonnell attempts to reinvent himself

In recent months, there has been speculation that John McDonnell has leadership ambitions – and a rift has formed between the shadow chancellor and his one-time comrade Jeremy Corbyn. So, it won’t have gone unnoticed by the Leader’s Office that McDonnell today embarked on a charm offensive of the MSM – also know as the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Speaking at a Press Gallery lunch, the socialist politician told hacks that he had decided to address lunch after his local priest suggested he needed to ‘soften’ his image:

‘He persuaded me to do this. He said you need to soften your image. So do Mumsnet and do this…. I’m trying to soften my image.’

The republican shadow chancellor even joined in on a toast to the Queen at the start of the lunch.

Still, should McDonnell still be looking for ways to soften his image, Mr S has some advice – he could start by not making ‘jokes’ about ‘lynching’ female politicians.