Obamallaber

The contrast between the left-of-centre parties in the US and the UK could not be starker.

The Democrats have a leader who is considered visionary, has captured the public's imagination, has a campaign machine that is the stuff of legends - it raised $66m in August - and is looking like winning the next election.

Wondering if any of that shine would rub off on the Labour party Amber Valley MP Judy Mallaber spent some time working with the Democrats this month and has been chatting to her colleagues at conference about what she saw.

She said: "Politics over there is a very different thing and I’m not sure that kind of approach – at least to raising money – is transferable.
"These are huge amounts to be spending on an election, that kind of money comes from somewhere and it may mean that you are tied to lobbyists very closely."

Spoken like a true New Labourite.

Joseph Watts
Parliamentary Correspondent