Londoner’s Diary: Mothers’ voices must be heard in politics, says Labour MP Stella Creasy

PARLIAMENT’S unwillingness to make provisions for young mothers means that “talented” women are losing out on political roles, Stella Creasy MP has said.

“I am a minority… I think it affects what decisions and discussions we are having,” Creasy, right, told us. She has long campaigned for maternity leave for MPs and last year was banned from taking her new-born son into the chamber.

Her words come as the MotheRED project announced its first round of funding. It aims to encourage mothers to become Labour MPs by offering childcare grants.

“[The new candidates] bring experience, passion and energy that is missing from politics right now because those voices haven’t been heard — not because they don’t want to speak up… but because Parliament doesn’t work for having a family,” the Walthamstow MP said.

Gatiss minds his own manners

DIRECTOR Mark Gatiss’ new play The Unfriend is a satirical look at manners. “[Brits] can’t ever manage to be direct and get into terrible trouble,” he tells us before revealing a mishap of his own. “A dinner party in which we invited the wrong couple to be with another couple.” Unfortunately, Gatiss and his partner didn’t do their “due diligence” when it came to how the guests knew each other. Was it awkward? Pressed for details, Gatiss, left, added: “I couldn’t possibly say.” Very polite.

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NORMAN SCOTT, whose affair with MP Jeremy Thorpe was dramatised in A Very English Scandal, has told Hay Festival that his first trip to the House of Commons didn’t go to plan. He was refused entry because of his terrier but Scott found a solution: next door was the National Vivisection Society’s office. “I asked them if they’d look after her.” Fortunately, he got the dog back. “She didn’t blame me,” he added. Phew.

LAURA HADDOCK learnt her place the tough way at Downton Abbey. “Hugh Bonneville did tease me,” she told Vulture. “He said… Julian Fellowes doesn’t mind if you take the words and make them your own. You can really ad lib here.” Little did she know that Downton is all about rules. “I quickly realized you’re not given any chance to deviate … cheeky monkey, that man.”

Londoner 30/5/22

HEARTSTOPPER stars Sebastian Croft and Joe Locke attended the launch of Brighton Beach House on Friday. Locke christened the pool by taking a dip in his suit, and Eurovision’s Sam Ryder was on the mic. Saturday in the Cotswolds saw the fashion set, including model Edie Campbell and artist Christabel MacGreevy, unite for Adwoa Aboah’s 30th, which involved a six-tiered birthday cake. Campbell coined it “the dirtiest of thirtieths”. Abroad, speed demons Simone Ashley, Patrick Dempsey and Mia Regan were among the A-listers hosted by Tag Heuer in Monaco for the Grand Prix.