When he was Tory treasurer and deputy chairman, inside party HQ he was nicknamed “Blofeld” after the famous Bond villain.
And Michael Ashcroft’s 80th birthday party at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel was as big and spectacular as any James Bond movie.
Top of the bill was Sir Elton John – yes, THE Elton John – who belted out a dozen of his famous hits until 12.30am, well past the time the party was due to end at midnight.
Ashcroft’s 500 guests included Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, most of the shadow cabinet, Tory grandees, business tycoons and, yes, a few broadcasters and journalists.
It was lavish. There was a caviar bar, no less. But the millionaire philanthropist encouraged his guests to donate generously to his charities, especially for Ukraine.
The wily peer had mischievously placed the Tory and Reform UK leaders on the same table and, with a hint of Blofeld-style menace, he had a warning for the Conservatives.
Revealing that his next book is a biography of Farage, he addressed speculation that he might one day switch his support – and cash – from the Tories to Reform UK.
He’d been a Conservative for more than 60 years, he said, and he would remain one “as long as Kemi Badenoch is leader,” before adding intriguingly: “After that, all bets are off.”
Later, a former Tory cabinet minister told me Lord Ashcroft – who is a big Kemi fan – has said that before. Maybe in private, but not so publicly, I don’t think.
He also announced that his acclaimed collection of more than 250 Victoria Cross and George Cross medals, homeless after 15 years at the “Imperial Woke Museum”, as he called it, is moving to the National Army Museum.
In his warm-up speech ahead of the host, William – now Lord – Hague said of Ashcroft: “If you’re his friend, he’s a good man. If you’re his enemy, he’s a bad man.” A very Blofeld joke.
The brilliant Rory Bremner was compere and treated guests to his full repertoire. And as well as all his old favourites, he’s now got Sir Keir Starmer’s nasal tones just right.
Bringing in some audience participation, Rory hosted a game of Play Your Cards Right – as Bruce Forsyth, naturally – with TV presenter Holly Willoughby, who was a very good sport.
Katherine Jenkins sang with a Ukrainian children’s choir now based in Germany, and Nicole Scherzinger sang Shirley Bassey-style and introduced her former backing group, the Pussycat Dolls.
And on an evening when the war in Ukraine was a major theme, a moving video about the devastating impact of the war was voiced by Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville.
And so to the climax of the evening. Elton’s still got it, big time, even though at 78 he’s only two years behind Lord Ashcroft. When he appeared, the screaming and cheering guests all left their dinner tables and surged forward to the edge of the stage.
His voice was in great shape as he pumped out Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Saturday Night’s Alright, Candle in the Wind, Your Song and more favourites.
Elton even said he hoped to join Lord Ashcroft at his 90th birthday party. Well, since Rupert Murdoch has just celebrated his 95th birthday and Michael Caine his 93rd, you wouldn’t bet against it.
Who knows, Lord Ashcroft might yet greet the superstar once again with the words: “We’ve been expecting you, Mr John.”
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