If only the PM were more like Simon Cowell

The X Factor on Saturday-night TV has much of the country glued to the telly – including our political leaders. Gordon Brown is a self-confessed addict (the PM won’t take phone calls during the show) and so is David Cameron’s chief strategist, Steve Hilton.

Both sides are fascinated by the live audience, whose cheers and boos provide a better barometer of taste than any focus group. Politicians eagerly take note who the audience roots for but the lesson our rulers don’t seem to have grasped is that the real stars of the show are the straight talking judges.

The public doesn’t begrudge Simon Cowell his stupendous wealth because it loves his fearless truth-telling. A bit more candour from Brown (on Lockerbie, spending cuts, and Afghanistan) would be a sign that he’s beginning to understand why The X Factor works.

As for the Tories, they dont need a heartwarming back story, just more honesty on the health service, pensions and welfare.