Following Guido’s highlighting of the made-for-propaganda event and possibly fearing Ceauşescu-moment style boos, Gordon’s spinmeisters have suddenly moved the photo-op at West Ham town hall forward an hour (to 3pm).  Only the most loyal of the most loyal will be there.  Don’t expect a big turn out…

UPDATE 15.55 :  Gordon’s speech is literally a string of cliches we have all heard before; tractor production is up in the Urals, we are winning the war against Eurasia, Tories eat babies, Gordon will save the world. The questions are a hoot, first up: “Why don’t the papers report the fantastic, fantastic care for under fives? “

16.02 : The First Lord of State speaks, hair immaculate, make-up trowelled on, in control in all senses, enjoying himself.  Says something about Gordon being courageous enough to spend lots of other people’s money.

16.05 : Questioner says Tories are evil, another that thanks Gordon for visiting, Sheila Thomas, ex-USDAW, just wants to welcome Gordon and thank him for coming down to West Ham, says she wants to see Gordon at party conference.  Young lady says she was born Labour, thanks Gordon for paying her family benefits, (no sign of gratitude to the wealth creators).

16.10 : Guido losing the will to live as they bore on about various welfare benefits.  Gordon name drops that he spoke to Obama yesterday (not sure if he means he talked on a beach or a president).   Gordon, the deficit doubler, talks about getting the deficit down in the long run by spending more now.  Economic genius. (He never did balance the deficit in the long term over the economic cycle, did he?).  Few more questioners say Gordon is brilliant and it is everybody else’s fault.

16.15 : They laugh at the pasting Mandy gave Marr.  Guido laughed as well.  Questioner says the NHS is brilliant.  Blah blah blah Gordon, everything is brilliant.  Must get a drink, if they think this will impress the PLP…  

UPDATE : Mercy comes, Jonah Brown strikes the transmission:

Video credit : G O T