On my way into work this week, I was listening to an interview on Radio 4.

The interviewee was talking about the US primary candidate elections and was singing the praises of the US system for it's ability to make politics "Exciting to the masses". he even favoured the idea of a similar system in the UK, which he felt might re-engage people in the political process.

Hmmm....

Last night I was sitting at home, watching an interesting political performance...

It occurs against the backdrop of a large auditorium, which is bedecked with red and white streamers interspersed with silk flags. The room is packed full of adoring faces, hanging on the speaker's every word (and cheering wildly every time the speaker paused).

The speaker stands before a podium, which is draped with a flag and set against a brightly lit backdrop. In the background a number of key associates and colleagues stand shoulder shoulder to shoulder in obvious support of the speaker, whom they too are totally focused on. The crowd knows them all and respects them, but it's the speaker who has really drawn them here.

The speaker talks with the talent of a trained orator, raising and lowering vocal pitch to emphasise particular points. The speech itself touches on a range of topics, but only in a broad, general way which is designed to appeal to the lowest common intellectual denominator. The topics cover issues such as patriotism, race relations, the economy and unemployment. The obligatory accusations against the incompetance of the current administration are also hurled. The crowd cheers especially loudly.

The speaker builds to a cresendo and at exactly the right moment, an unseen stage manager plays music over the tannoy; music that has been shown in focus groups and polls to provoke an especially strong emotional response. The crowd almost weeps in adulation as the speaker takes a step back from the podium, arms spread wide in an almost mesiah-like gesture and the crowd roars it's approval.

...then a uniformed associate steps up to the podium, thrusts his right arm out and shouts: "SEIG HEIL!"

...and as one voice, the crowd return the salute.