Inside the Spectator summer party: Tory great and the good have plenty to talk about with Conservatives leadership up for grabs (while Nigel Farage is looking VERY pleased with himself!)
After suffering such a devastating loss in last week's general election, you would think that the likes of Liz Truss, who embarrassingly lost her seat, would be keeping well away from Westminster.
But last night the former Prime Minister was spotted at a glamourous party just a stone's throw away from the Houses of Parliament in London.
A host of Conservative bigwigs attended the Spectator's Summer Party at the magazine's head office near St James's Park.
Ms Truss put on a brave face as she strutted into the bash with fellow Tories Michael Gove, Kemi Badenoch, Priti Patel, James Cleverly and Claire Coutinho.
Thérèse Coffey, who lost a 20,000 majority in Suffolk Coastal to Labour, was also spotted amongst the Westminster elite.
Looking somewhat more gleeful was Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, who racked up more than four million votes, or 14.3 per cent of the national vote share.
![Former Prime Minister Liz Truss (left) attends the Spectator's Summer Party in a blush pink blazer, white shirt and white trousers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87170649-13620963-image-a-21_1720633141082.jpg)
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss (left) attends the Spectator's Summer Party in a blush pink blazer, white shirt and white trousers
![Truss arrives to the Spectator's Summer Party a week after she lost her South West Norfolk seat by 630 votes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171545-13620963-image-a-34_1720633388654.jpg)
Truss arrives to the Spectator's Summer Party a week after she lost her South West Norfolk seat by 630 votes
![Priti Patel (left) wears a tailored plait dress with pearl buttons as she laughs with former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (centre) and Tory donor Nick Candy (right) at the party](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87170639-13620963-image-a-22_1720633149411.jpg)
Priti Patel (left) wears a tailored plait dress with pearl buttons as she laughs with former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (centre) and Tory donor Nick Candy (right) at the party
![Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (left) poses with Thérèse Coffey (right) who lost her seat at the General Election next week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171479-13620963-image-a-24_1720633234276.jpg)
Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (left) poses with Thérèse Coffey (right) who lost her seat at the General Election next week
![Oxford-educated Michael Gove (left) and political columnist Bruce Anderson (right) attend the Spectator Summer Party](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171503-13620963-image-a-29_1720633295333.jpg)
Oxford-educated Michael Gove (left) and political columnist Bruce Anderson (right) attend the Spectator Summer Party
![Farage, who is the leader of Reform UK, looks pleased with himself as he enjoys a quick cigarette during the bash](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87170647-13620963-image-a-23_1720633151786.jpg)
Farage, who is the leader of Reform UK, looks pleased with himself as he enjoys a quick cigarette during the bash
![Farage (left) attends the party as the newly elected MP for Clacton and is seen chatting to Spectator journalist James Heale (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171481-13620963-image-a-25_1720633238988.jpg)
Farage (left) attends the party as the newly elected MP for Clacton and is seen chatting to Spectator journalist James Heale (right)
![Farage (left) throws his head back with laughter at the party near Westminster. The Reform leader wears a blue and red tie as he enjoys the party with a glass in hand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171493-13620963-image-a-26_1720633253991.jpg)
Farage (left) throws his head back with laughter at the party near Westminster. The Reform leader wears a blue and red tie as he enjoys the party with a glass in hand
![The Spectator's Summer Party takes place at the magazine's office near St James's Park in London where a marquee decorated with fairy lights is put up in the garden](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171535-13620963-image-a-32_1720633372618.jpg)
The Spectator's Summer Party takes place at the magazine's office near St James's Park in London where a marquee decorated with fairy lights is put up in the garden
Hours after 411 Labour MPs triumphantly walked into the House of Commons, some notable party members were in attendance at the Summer bash.
Wes Streeting, the newly appointed Health Secretary, was seen with a drink in hand talking to Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson.
Bridget Phillipson, the new Education Secretary, was also in attendance.
But Sir Keir himself was not present, having jetted off to Washington DC for a Nato summit - his first international visit as Prime Minister.
Labour grandee Peter Mandelson, who described Sir Keir's majority as an 'electoral meteor' which had 'struck planet Earth', was also in attendance.
Reform UK's Richard Tice was at the party and appeared in good spirits after securing five seats in the Commons.
Canadian author and psychologist Jordan Peterson grinned as he took a selfie in the gardens with GB News presenter Nana Akua.
Broadcasters Piers Morgan and Andrew Marr also joined the Summer bash.
Conservative bigwigs arrived at the party alongside Tory donor Nick Candy just hours after Rishi Sunak's first Shadow Cabinet meeting.
The meeting reportedly descended into chaos after leadership hopeful Ms Badenoch 'ripped into' the former Prime Minister over the election.
![Wes Streeting (left) puts a hand to his chest as he enjoys a drink while speaking to Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171499-13620963-image-a-28_1720633282832.jpg)
Wes Streeting (left) puts a hand to his chest as he enjoys a drink while speaking to Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (right)
![The new Health Secretary (right) wears a dark red tie and laughs as he speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171549-13620963-The_Health_Secretary_right_laughs_as_he_speaks_to_the_Archbishop-m-38_1720633919264.jpg)
The new Health Secretary (right) wears a dark red tie and laughs as he speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (left)
![Wes Streeting (right), who came out as gay during his second year at the University of Cambridge, holds a glass of fizz as he walks with his fiancé Joe Dancey (left) - the Labour MP for Stockton West](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171581-13620963-image-a-37_1720633444240.jpg)
Wes Streeting (right), who came out as gay during his second year at the University of Cambridge, holds a glass of fizz as he walks with his fiancé Joe Dancey (left) - the Labour MP for Stockton West
![Labour's Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (left) sports a red lip to match her dress as she speaks to Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171519-13620963-Bridget_Phillipson_centre_speaks_to_Spectator_Editor_Fraser_Nels-m-40_1720634080039.jpg)
Labour's Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (left) sports a red lip to match her dress as she speaks to Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson (right)
![Ex-home secretary James Cleverly (right) and his wife Susie (left) attend the Spectator's Summer Party. He wears a red tie despite being a senior member of the Conservative party](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171529-13620963-image-a-31_1720633369248.jpg)
Ex-home secretary James Cleverly (right) and his wife Susie (left) attend the Spectator's Summer Party. He wears a red tie despite being a senior member of the Conservative party
![Piers Morgan (right) was spotted at the Summer bash with a fruity drink. The broadcaster opts for a more casual open shirt for the party](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171555-13620963-image-a-36_1720633407067.jpg)
Piers Morgan (right) was spotted at the Summer bash with a fruity drink. The broadcaster opts for a more casual open shirt for the party
![Andrew Marr (left) poses in the gardens at the Spectator's party. The BBC's former political editor wears a black coat and open neck shirt at the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171553-13620963-image-a-42_1720634339137.jpg)
Andrew Marr (left) poses in the gardens at the Spectator's party. The BBC's former political editor wears a black coat and open neck shirt at the event
![In the marquee decorated with fairy lights, GB News presenter Nana Akua takes a selfie with Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/19/87171531-13620963-image-a-43_1720634435285.jpg)
In the marquee decorated with fairy lights, GB News presenter Nana Akua takes a selfie with Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson
![Kemi Badenoch (centre) attends the party just hours after an explosive shadow cabinet meeting. Today the shadow housing secretary tweeted that it was a 'shame' their discussions were leaked](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/10/18/87171353-13620963-image-a-20_1720633115707.jpg)
Kemi Badenoch (centre) attends the party just hours after an explosive shadow cabinet meeting. Today the shadow housing secretary tweeted that it was a 'shame' their discussions were leaked
Badenoch allegedly said Sunak's decision not to inform Opposition frontbenchers before calling the July 4 poll bordered on 'unconstitutional', while his early return from D-Day commemorations was 'disastrous' and cost colleagues their seats.
The Times reported that Badenoch also branded Craig Williams, who bet on the election date, a 'buffoon' and said Suella Braverman was having a 'very public' nervous breakdown.
But Badenoch seemed to compose herself in time for the Spectator's Summer Party, wearing a purple, blue, and red fitted dress.
Today, the shadow housing secretary tweeted: 'It’s a shame our discussions in Shadow Cabinet were leaked yesterday. If there is no private space to discuss our Party's challenges, we will never fully address what the electorate told us last week.'