Hmmm

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Just been watching the Smirk, my name for the BBC's The Week with Andrew Neil and Michael Portillo and usually Diane Abbott. Tonight there was Oona King plugging her new book and being teased (and patronised) by the two old hands for her closeness to Brown. In his defense she mentioned the Green Paper more than once. She even got its name right, the Governance of Britain. It went straight past Portillo and Neil as they looked pleased with themselves. But I can tell you such familiarity is rare. Too rare, the Green Paper needs a high profile spokesperson who can express the Prime Minister's resolve. When they accused Oona of heading for the ermine she denied it. I won't go to the House of Lords or become an MP again, she said firmly and then added that she wouldn't say no to something else.... hmmm. That spokesperson needs to be someone who can speak for Britain, appeal to its many minorities and not be a suit.