So Labour got smashed in the local elections. No big surprise, really. It’s tempting to quote Bill Clinton’s famous maxim on what decides an election. In fact, it’s so tempting that I will.

Gordon Brown’s visit to the United States was not a great success. It was one of those visits which Prime Ministers are liable to make, when they feel in need of reminding the public of their authority. They may not have much business to discuss, but it will help their image for the voters to see them in the Rose Garden of the White House, exchanging chit chat with the President of the United States.