Another slightly oddly timed announcement comes out of the coalition today, this time from the Liberal Democrat side. Leader Nick Clegg has announced that he will conduct a radio phone-in programme for half an hour every week. The broadcast will go out live on LBC radio, and the Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by presenter Nick Ferrari.
I actually think the idea is a very good one, and a typically brave Clegg manoeuvre. He comes over very well when speaking to small groups and individuals, and this is a great way for more people to hear him in that setting. I have no doubt that the show will start off with a torrent of abuse directed him, but I suspect he will win some people over eventually too.
A bit of public blood letting might not be such a bad idea, and frankly, Clegg has little to lose.
It does though seem odd that a mildly distracting story like this, one broadly about differentiation, has come out on a day when the coalition is meant to focussing on being a united front.
It never would have happened in the days of Alistair Campbell and his grid.
