Who is the funniest party leader?

We expect a lot of our party leaders. They have to convince us that they are competent, inspiring, intelligent, charismatic and down-to-earth, and, on top of all that, like David Brent, they've got to be entertainers too.

David Cameron opened his party conference with a speech packed full of jokes yesterday - but sadly it seems that comedy is not the Tory leader's strong point.

"Did you see the Labour conference last week?" he asked. "Not exactly 'Manchester United' was it?"

Whew.

Later, he recalled his failed attempt to become an MP in 1997, explaining with a guffaw: "I fought Stafford. Stafford fought back - rather vigorously, as it turned out!"

So frequently did the quips come that when Mr Cameron pointed out - correctly - that he will soon be the longest-standing major party leader at Westminster, the Tory members fell about laughing, although presumably Mr Cameron was attempting to shake off accusations that he is inexperienced.