Even after the embarrassing incident of the hospital and the Photoshop, there are plenty of young Labour politicians with a soft spot for culture secretary James Purnell.
James Purnell: only 39. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/WPA Rota/PA Wire.
He's an Arsenal fan, he likes house music and he's only 39. This, no doubt, is one of the reasons why he and a number of other MPs are at Central Hall in Westminster today to engage in "speed-dating" with some future voters.
Or, as the Ministry of Justice puts it: "They will have the challenging task of persuading secondary school children and youth groups of the benefits of democratic engagement and participation."
Over 100 young people are currently interrogating James, fellow minister Tony McNulty and the deputy leader of the Commons, Helen Goodman.
They are invited to rate the MPs on a scale of nought to 10 for approachability, listening skills, "understanding of issues" and on whether their questions have been answered.
Apparently Jack Straw will be there, too, though he is giving a speech rather than speed-dating.
Just as well. Yesterday the justice secretary told the Today programme on Radio 4: "We've had discombobulation in politics, but this is low on the Richter scale and it will pass."
Tactful, but not a phrase that under-16s are likely to grasp.
At the end of the day, an anonymous vote will be taken and one politician will be declared the best communicator. Watch this space.
