Like a rural bank manager, Sideshow Mel wades into the Tories’ battle for irrelevance | John Crace

For some reason, Stride used his first keynote speech as shadow chancellor to discuss the abject failure of his party

Some things in life you just don't see coming. Like a lottery win. Like Spurs winning a European trophy. You can now add to those two: Mel Stride getting a full house for one of his speeches. Not even standing room was available.

This just doesn't happen to Mel. Normally you can book him a broom cupboard and there will still be plenty of space. His reputation for never saying anything of interest precedes him. Just not today. Maybe it was a slow news day. Maybe the refreshments on offer at the Royal Society of Arts were top dollar.