Hello, how are you?

The inevitable opening line of any call centre nightmare. And then, over the crackling line the long-distance caller then usually simply launches into their spiel whether I have replied or not.

Gordon Brown's best - and only - bet now is to be bold

It's rather like being back in the schoolyard, where a 'mate' of one of the less popular girls sidles over and mutters 'she fancies you, and is prepared to prove it'. Not really a comfortable experience and I am not sure any of the parties come out of it well.

'We moan often enough that politicians are out of touch, so we shouldn't just ridicule leaders when they try to do something about it.'

But maybe it's still OK if it is something patently bonkers, at least in this day and age.

Getting an unsolicited (I know it is meant in response to a approach in the first place, but few of us have 'people' to screen and prioritise and select) call at home from a guy called 'Gordon' with an impenetrable accent on a shared line (calls will be recorded for quality purposes) is unlikely to start well, let alone be of much use to either party as a true reflection of feelings.

Sadly, and especially in these security-aware, time-poor days, it's hard to see how our senior leadership can get to mix and empathise with those they govern, unless they try a modern day version of 'The Prince and the Pauper'.

From grocer's daughters from Grantham to 'Call me Tone', whatever common understanding and touch any pol might have had at the outset is soon lost behind a wall of minders, screenings, scheduled photo, ops, etc, managed by layer upon layer of yes-folk hired to ensure things go smoothly.

To suggest otherwise is a silly as it is dishonest.