If you were wondering why new Shadow Foreign Secretary wee Dougie Alexander was so quiet today, a quick peek at the Socialist International website will show you why. The Labour Party are affiliated with Mubarak’s hopefully outgoing National Democratic Party.

Awkward...

The FT note how Tom Baldwin has saved his boss from near media oblivion, but the re-branding doesn’t stop there. Apparently in preparation for what will no doubt be an in depth interview with Piers Morgan in next month’s GQ, Ed has called in a personal trainer.

It did wonders for Gordon…

Speaking to Bloomberg News at the billionaire’s bunfight which is Davos, Tony Blair pretty much backed the Coalition’s line that the government’s priority should be to cut the deficit. He also echoed George Osborne in blaming the recent poor GDP figures on the bad weather. It will be music to the Cameroons’ ears that “the master” takes their line…

There is a copy of Lethal Warriors: When the New Band of Brothers Came Home for the winner.

As the cuts start to bit so the darlings will increase their rhetoric and hyperbole. While not always agreeing with Alan Bennett, Guido usually has a lot of time for his way with words. Sadly he lets himself down badly in today’s Guardian:

“Closing libraries is child abuse.”

Cue the world’s most depressing short story about that.

Thanks to the excellent David MacLean for the tip.

Guido is contemplating catching up on Channel 4′s latest slice of leftism, but he thought he would test the water first…

Gerry Adams wrote to John Bercow…

“A chara,

Go raibh maith agat.”

Guido hears that CCHQ are bracing themselves for more revelations about the amorous Lord Strathclyde in this weekend’s newspapers. As Leader of the Tories in the Lords, Tommy is responsible for fixing the AV mess that could well see the referendum delayed, if he were to be forced out this weekend it could be very messy. The punters over at Smarkets have Strathride at 2/1 favourite to be the next cabinet minister to walk…