The Tories give summer its big ball back again
The Tory Summer Ball got underway last night at the Hurlingham private members’ club, with many of the City’s Conservative donors expected to make an appearance.
Howard Shore of Shore Capital, headline sponsor of last year’s event, had a number of tables and Bell Pottinger took one also. But other attendees remained tight lipped about their plans to attend, thanks to some unwanted attention earlier in the week when last year’s guest list, including 73 financiers, was revealed.
While the patrons remain a mystery, word reaches The Capitalist that one Baller splashed out £45,000 on a bottle of champagne signed by the late Margaret Thatcher. The bubbles were sold in an auction compered by Hugo Swire MP.
One of the annual bash’s more colourful regulars, Peter Stringfellow, didn’t make it to the do as he was in Puglia with his in-laws. “It’s a shame I can’t be there, it’s a lovely event,” he told The Capitalist. “It changed from Summer Ball to Summer Party during the recession, but the good times are back and the Ball is back so I’d expect people really dressing up again – it’s a beautiful thing.”
We’re sure the balmy climes of the heel of Italy will more than compensate his missing out.