‘Ming’ Campbell laps up Obama

Among the thousands filling the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado for the Democratic Party convention this week are hundreds of British politicians, spin doctors and trade unionists, looking not so much for free hotdogs as for campaigning and fund-raising techniques they can bring to UK politics.

Hugh Bayley, one of the Labour MPs visiting Denver, said: "There is much more sophisticated use of new media by the Democrats. That is a lesson." He was particularly impressed by the way that Barack Obama has used the internet to raise millions of dollars from small donors, lessening the importance of big donors - still a delicate subject for Labour politicians after last year's cash for honours scandal.

Although British Conservatives have traditionally allied themselves to the Republican Party in the US, under David Cameron - who met Obama during his brief visit to London recently - it seems it's now politically correct to fraternise with Democrats too. Steve Hilton, Cameron's chief strategist, flew into Denver on Tuesday in time for Hillary Clinton's call for unity. Francis Maude, a member of the shadow cabinet, is also in the 'Mile High City'.

For the Lib Dems, former leader 'Ming' Campbell (pictured) is making his seventh convention visit. He, too, was impressed by the Obama campaign's use of small donors. "The lesson for Britain is get rid of the union support and [Lord] Ashcroft and get £100 from each member of the public." ·