Food for thought

Manchester is already preparing itself to welcome the great and the good of the social housing sector for the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference in June.

The new and improved location might take some getting used to for delegates more accustomed to the tranquil charms of Harrogate, but it surely can’t compare to the culture shock suffered by some Conservative Party members when their conference first pitched up in the city in 2009.

One source at the conference venue told Closed Circuit of a panicked query from group of twinset and pearl-clad Tory women: ‘Do you have restaurants in Manchester?’ one asked.

Apparently they do, just in case anyone was wondering…

Years in office have done little to dim the talents of the mayor of London.

Closed Circuit was recently invited to attend a press call at the Olympic park with Boris Johnson and the top brass from Newham Council and athlete’s village development consortium Triathlon Homes.

After mistaking a question on rioters’ tenancies for writers’ tendancies, the mayor then professed to know nothing about a story involving himself that was published that morning.

But who can blame him? It was only a double-page spread in the nation’s biggest selling tabloid newspaper with several photos of him with direct quotes.

Could housing minister Grant Shapps finally be running low on fresh policy initiatives? We only ask because the MP for Welwyn Hatfield seems to be appealing for a bit of help in the area - for free.

An advert posted last week seeks candidates for a ‘policy and correspondence’ internship. The successful applicant will be able to help ‘draft policy responses to constituents’ as well as having ‘the opportunity to gain an insight into Grant’s role’. ‘Reasonable’ travel and lunch expenses will be covered. How generous.

Closed Circuit is considering applying for the job - an insight into Mr Shapps’ mind is too good an opportunity to miss.