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Surreal but true. Gordon Brown has just emerged from his speech on globalisation to reveal that the alleged racism directed at Big Brother contestant Shilpa has been raised with him, and he wants to reassure people that Britain is a place of tolerance and fairness.
In case you're one of those who despair at the trivialisation of politics let me add that diplomats here say the row is damaging Britain's reputation.
What, said the British businessman I've just met sipping tea on the Prince of Wales lawn at the Confederation of Indian Industry conference, are you doing here? It's a good question. The answer is that I'm here because the man who looks almost certain to be our next prime minister is here in training for the big job.
The pretence, you see, is over. Gordon Brown no longer brushes aside questions about what he'll do as Prime Minister as speculation or media tittle tattle. He answers them. What's more he no longer gives speeches purely about the economy.
This morning he has called for the creation of a new world order with international organisations reformed to deliver justice for all and security for all. His agenda is ambitious taking in the reform of the UN, the G8, the IMF, the World Bank and NATO which he insists were designed for the world of 1945 and are now in need of real change. He is challenging those countries who have attacked American unilateralism to show that multi-lateralism can work.
This, he was careful to add, built on Tony Blair's leadership "in a spirit of continuity". But can you imagine Tony Blair ending a speech by quoting Gandhi who said "Whenever you are in any doubt, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest person whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to them... then, he said, you will find your doubts melt away".
PS You might be wondering if he's bothered by the news that Tony Blair plans to . The answer is no - he appears totally relaxed about it. He's rather more bothered by the treatment of Big Brother contestant Shilpa which is in The Times of India.
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My series on The Prime Ministers is on Radio 4 (Tue 0930, repeated Sun 2245) - or click here to listen. Most recent:
And Decision Time, on how ontroversial decisions are reached behind closed doors in Whitehall, was on Radio 4 on Wednesday 11 March at 2000.
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