Great do laid on by the Spectator last night. But amid all the glitz and colourful cocktails it felt like a wedding where the bride and groom failed to show. Cameron and Osborne never made it.
There were good practical reasons. Both were busy ripping up the leader's speech to be delivered tomorrow, following goings-on in the US. They were also locked away writing Cameron's mini-address, delivered just now.
But there were PR issues at play too. Just as triumphalist videos and rousing ovations are out this year, so is partying into the early hours. Except for the likes of Eric Pickles, who was left to entertain the press and munch a few canapes on behalf of the absent leadership.
