Mandelson and Brown are trying to play up Dan Hannan’s comment that “If the Americans came to me and said, ‘Would you recommend us taking up a system just like the British NHS?’, I think I would have to say ‘No.”

That whole line of attack has just fallen apart: President Obama has told Americans he would not use Britain’s “socialised” system as a model.

He also told an audience in Montana yesterday that he would not implement a “big government solution”. Obama said that a government-run system was not being proposed, nor was he seeking a “socialised” system; “I’m not in favour of a British system”. Looks like he don’t love the NHS…

The Institute of Economic Affairs has appointed headhunters at Odgers Berndtson to find a new General Director to lead the daddy of all think-tanks into the 21st Century.  The salary is £100,000, the closing date is August 28, if you want to brush off your CV.  Can’t be many wonks on that kind of money…

They say they are looking for a media-savvy, free marketeer with drive.   They should have political nous, but no party ties.  Guido has listed a few potential candidates previously.  There are also a few unemployed (and employed) journalists around who might be interested in the job.

At that rate even Guido could be tempted if it were not for the “no drinking on the premises” restriction…