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What by-election? Tristram Hunt starts his new job

When Tristram Hunt resigned as the MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central last month to take up a job as director of the V&A, he insisted the decision was driven by the offer of a job that combined his ‘lifetime passions’ rather than ill feeling over the direction Labour had taken under Jeremy Corbyn. So, with polling day this Thursday and the results expected to be tight, surely Hunt is doing everything he can to help his party’s candidate Gareth Snell retain the seat for Labour?

Well, not everything. While the Prime Minister is up in Stoke today to boost Tory support and Ukip continue to knock on doors, Hunt is otherwise engaged. The former MP today starts his job as director of the Victoria and Albert museum.

Clearly the museum’s needs were so pressing that Hunt wasn’t able to push his start date by a few days to help out in Stoke-on-Trent…

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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