Private Eye has a good cover this week headlined: "Countdown to cuts – sombre mood grips nation," showing George Osborne smiling giddily amid a sea of grim-looking faces.
David Cameron demonstrated today that he too has his finger on the pulse of the country, with a quick quip greeting Arnold Schwarzenegger when the California governor visited Downing Street this morning.
"He's going to help me terminate the budget deficit," the prime minister joked.
PS: I know I'm ignoring any real news coming out of this meeting of the two great compassionate conservatives of our time. But luckily the Press Association news agency was on hand to provide the key facts:
Standing side by side, the governor, wearing a bright pink tie, was slightly shorter but also noticeably broader than Mr Cameron.
