TV ‘spin rooms’: where the real action is tonight

Lord Mandelson will be in Manchester tonight, ready to spin for Gordon Brown as the Great Television Election Drama unfolds. The presence of Mandy - and his opposite numbers from the other two parties - explains why the political hacks are being ferried to Manchester (as I wrote in an earlier posting today)  even though they are not invited to sit in the Granada studio. Instead, they will watch on TV in a city centre hotel, ready to be lectured to by Mandy and the others in the so-called 'spin rooms'.

And the Mole learns that Mandelson, worried that Brown could lose the on-screen beauty contest with the younger Tory leader David Cameron and the Lib Dems’ Nick Clegg, has already got his excuses ready in advance of tonight's first debate.

They are revealed in an internal briefing note sent out to Labour candidates, which has Mandy's fingerprints all over it. The bulletin says: "These debates will show Gordon Brown's authenticity, his policy knowledge and his vision for Britain. If these debates get to substance and policy then, of course, Gordon can win."

It seems Mandy is clearly worried that, on screen, the more nimble-footed Camo is going to win and has got his line ready. "Whilst Gordon has spent years dealing with day-to-day events in government, David Cameron has had years to prepare for just this sort of event," says the briefing note. "By contrast, Gordon's strength is dealing with the big economic issues that face the nation not scoring political points on national television."

In a clear hint at Brown's expected line of attack, the note adds: "There are two different sets of questions: the ones posed in the debates which all the leaders must answer; and the unanswered questions on leadership, judgment and cuts to public services which David Cameron still has not answered."

There have been suggestions that Mandy has advised Brown not to rely on the big clunking punch to put Camo on the canvas. But the note suggests that the Brown camp are clearly hoping that their boy can come through on points after a bruising battle. "People will make their choice based on resilience not just rhetoric. On these tests Gordon wins hands down."

It is also likely that Brown will mention the fact - as the briefing note does - that the Times has published a letter from 77 leading economists backing Gordon Brown's economic plans. The note says: "Labour will not take risks with the economy. Unlike the Tories, we will maintain spending this year to secure the recovery."

Mandy won't be the only spinner in town. Wee Dougie Alexander will also be spinning for Labour while Andy Coulson will be doing the same for the Tories. Jonny Oates and Danny 'Harry Potter' Alexander will be spinning for Clegg, along with Lena Pietsch (pronounced 'Peach') and Sean Kemp from the Clegg press team. 'Elephant Man' - Vince Cable - will be on hand to explain to the hapless hacks about the finer detail of the economic argument.

It sounds so exciting, the Mole thinks the action in the spin rooms should be televised too. ·