Nige puts on a serious face in performance as mainstream politician

The scene: an old banking hall in the heart of the City.

- John Crace

The music: first, Richard Clayderman plays Bach. Then Pachelbel's Canon, then part of Mahler's 5th. Not the usual venue or playlist for a Reform press conference.

Could it ...? Could it be? Surely not the latest defection? Step forward, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It would all have made perfect sense. A grifter joins a party of grifters. After all, Nige had come to Andy's rescue last week when he called on the country to stop being so beastly to the alleged sex offender formerly known as prince.

Andy has time on his hands now. Plus he no longer has any royal titles, so he's free to stand for parliament. Plus he could probably use the money.

Sadly that would have to wait for another day. Instead we were told that Nige would be "performing" a major speech on the economy. Not "giving" but "performing". The mock grandeur was for Nige alone. As if being in the City had somehow bought him extra credibility. His ego is expanding by the day.