All that jostling for TV face time and visiting of far-flung candidates by Ed Balls, David Miliband and Harriet Harman is of course nothing to do with the upcoming election, it is all about the election after that – the Labour leadership election.

Guido reckons Gordon will be gone sooner rather than later, and one way or another he won’t be facing Cameron at the next PMQs.  Labour will turn on itself, and turn on Gordon, Charlie Whelan and Ed Balls. The likes of Yvette Cooper, Chris Bryant, Iain Austin and Tom Watson will get some of the collateral blame for foisting Gordon on the party.  They in turn will blame Mandelson and Campbell for the campaign strategy, the Blairites will pointed to for their  many coup attempts and high profile corrupt consultancy deals, cashing in like Tony himself.  This will last for ever.  Gordon will brood with a seething rage which will make Heath look positively jolly in comparison.

The bookies currently are making Miliband favourite, Harman second favourite, Darling is seen as a safe pair of hands caretaker, Balls (if he survives) and Johnson are in the running.  Many wonder if Johnson is up for it.  Harman could be acting leader on Saturday many think, they assume the she will be a caretaker leader like Margaret Beckett.  Guido hears that they should not be so sure…