And no-one since the PM formerly known as Mrs T has tried so overtly to present themselves as the true embodiment of British values, British grit, Britain itself (I stopped counting the use of the word British after it passed the 70 mark!)

Tony Woodley, the joint General Secretary of the giant union Unite, was lyrical in his praise on the Drive programme: "A great speech", said the man who'd berated the Prime Minister for taking a tough line on public sector pay at the TUC a fortnight ago. More proof - as if it was needed - of Gordon Brown's affinity with his party, and the collective impulse to rally behind the leader.

Election fever has its uses.

More striking still was the thought that if the speech had been video linked through time to next week's Tory conference, it might have been given a standing ovation there too. More power for Matron on the wards, tough on immigrant law-breakers, more power for the police (and hand held computers too). The echoes of Thatcher speeches past was, at times, a little spooky.

David Cameron wasn't actually mentioned at all. He didn't have to be. The sub-text was obvious: if you want a strong leader, a British leader, a serious leader with real conviction, you know where to look. It will take a lot of topping.