black spider

grabcad

A "black spider" is an informal term for correspondence written by British Prime Ministers to other government officials, often referred to as 'spider memos.' These communications are typically handwritten notes that outline requests or provide guidance on specific issues. The term derives from the appearance of the letters, which were often written in black ink and had spidery handwriting. These memos have been significant in understanding policy decisions and the inner workings of government over the years.