Popularity snapshot
Gordon Brown faces two big bests today.
His conference speech, of course, but also another challenge behind the scenes.
It's a tradition at these conferences, in the run-up to a general election, for parties to organise photo sessions where any of their Parliamentary candidates can be pictured shaking hands with grinning party big-wigs.
So Labour had an hour long session with David Miliband on Sunday, where I'm told there was a "very long" queue - about 60-70 people.
Yesterday it was Ed Balls' turn to be photographed with budding MPs, but he, I'm afraid, only attracted about 30 admirers.
The big photo-opp with Gordon Brown was due to take place at 5.15 yesterday, but was then postponed until today.
It will be interesting too see whether the leader manages to attract as many people as the heir apparent.
My source has promised to let me know.
Update
In the end Gordon Brown came out easily on top when his photo pool took place after his speech.
There were more than 120 candidates in the queue which all rather reflected the week in Manchester - early promise by David Milliband but Gordon Brown came out on top.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Sep 2008, barriesingleton wrote:HANDY INFORMATION
Characterisation of the different handshakes would be illuminating - just as signatures tell so much.
Factors: premature engagement (finger grip only) clammyness and temperature (combination) empathy (frequency, amplitude and release) and eye-contact.
Could you get one male and one female to queue up, shake, and then compare notes?
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd Sep 2008, JunkkMale wrote:No, it's too tempting. And as I work down the list see Barrie is there in the mod squad queue first.
The phrase ending '...on a plate' occurs, but I could have used that on the dinner list blog above, as he might have already.
Let's just see how it pans out.
And which hand gets used.
And what is in the other... if not in clear view.
No way to run a party, or government, or country... is it?
Me, I just await my chance to wield my vote... when the time comes.
Now, as to when THAT might be...
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd Sep 2008, JunkkMale wrote:Just to check, that's 'bests', right?
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