Despite the Globalisation Institute already having had a summer party they had a second one last night. DFID shadow Andrew Mitchell launched the Conservative’s big new idea for development – a Pan-African Free Trade Area to encourage intra-African trade through the removal of protectionist barriers and tariffs. All very worthy. David Davis’ former campaign manager has obviously realised that he too can do Cameroonie. “Enterprise-based development” is the the new ideological mantra to make poverty history in Africa.

Guido swigged a quick champagne and surveyed the room which was overseen by G.I. chairman Howard Flight. The crowd was overwhelmingly CCHQ boys and girls, wonks, A-listers and a smattering of MPs. As well as the shadow international development team Guido thought he saw a few DFID types around the room ingratiating themselves with their future political masters. The Oxfam, CAFOD and Christian Aid apparatchiks in attendance were no doubt spluttering into their champagne at the thought of free trade for Africans, by Africans, with Africans.