Mary Wakefield

Cameron's little talk to Demos today (to launch their Progressive Conservatism Project) was full of pleasant abstract stuff about de-centralisation as a means to fairness. But what was most interesting was how dangerous the Tory schools policy suddenly seemed. Why? Because when education came up during the Q and A (after an hour of generalised and fairly soporific Burkean rhetoric) Cameron's whole demeanor changed. He had actual, even workable, policies to communicate (courtesy of the excellent Gove) and he was suddenly charismatic, believable -- even a little Obama-ish?

When David Miliband's team get together this afternoon to talk through his performance on the Jeremy Vine show, I hope they realise they've got to do something about his voice. There's the embarrassing 'mockney' accent (not shared by brother Ed). And worse -- his recent attempt to widen his appeal and stop dropping his t's: "Grea', sorry I mean GreaT" "Vo'ers, I mean voTers". Then there's the fact that DM's attempts at a Blairish matey-ness end up sounding not just patronising, but slightly psychotic. It's as if he's convinced we're all brain-dead cretins, so he's putting on his special slow, patient voice in the hope that it helps us get the point: "If you bother to think about it, it's really quite simple, Terry.

Gore Vidal tells Mary Wakefield that America has forgotten its constitutional roots, and explains why Bobby Kennedy was ‘the biggest son of a bitch in politics’ To kill time, as I wait for Gore Vidal by the reception desk in Claridge’s, I leaf through the pages of his memoirs, looking at the photographs. One in particular takes my fancy: Gore aged three, in the garden of his grandfather’s house in Washington DC — a dapper little chap in shorts and a smart round-collared shirt, tending what seem to be cabbages. He’s glancing up at the camera half-amused, entirely self-possessed. He’s so unusually composed for a toddler, that I squint at the pic up close, peering at his eyes. ‘Are you waiting for me?

Ken or Boris: it's still anyone's guess. But whoever wins, (and I do hope Pete and Fraser are right to be optimistic) the question remains: what will they do without each other? One of the funniest elements of this mayoral contest has been that, whilst their supporters are animated by ferocious hatred of the other side, Ken and Boris appear to have developed great mutual respect. Ken's said he'd give Boris a job, and Boris also seems strangely fond of Ken. It's a relationship you don't see much outside comic books: the super-hero/super-villain, love/hate thing. Like Batman and the Joker, they're locked in mortal combat, but come the weekend, I reckon they'll both be feeling a little lost without their old adversary to contend with.

So Dave has let cameras into his house, to show that 'the anxieties of parenting are universal'. And what cosy fun the clip is too, and how lovely Sam looks first thing, (what about a fulltime SamCam?). But though the trials of parenting are universal, the cost of soft furnishings are not. So let's all play my new game: The cost of being a Cameron. The rules are easy: watch the video; spot a posh accessory, clothes item or soft furnishing you recognise. Then post it. Here, just for starters - Item 1: Mason and Pearson hairbrush  (25 quid or so); Item 2: Heals birch-wood laundry basket  (60 quid or so); Item 3: Conran lamp Sam's shirt, anyone? That enormous white fur rug?