Clunk - Fabian Friendly Fire

Despite poll gloom, Gordon Brown is having a good day . He had the strength to admit "mistakes" on the Today programme. He stood firm on 42 days in the Commons. He tried out - succesfully - a new, more hostile technique at Prime Minister's Questions, calling David Cameron a "shallow salesman" and reminding MPs of "Cleggover".

All of which makes the outburst by the normally loyal Fabian Society more fascinating. Sunder Katwala, the general secretary, said Brown suffers “neurotic under-confidence” whose administration "risks being written off before its first anniversary”.

And to think Ed Balls was Chair of the Fabian Society just last year.

Since briefing his speech overnight to the Press Association, Katwala has clearly been thunked, saying he had been speaking in a personal capacity (meaningless - damage done) and was a “strong supporter” of Mr Brown (who would believe him now.) The people who attack before polling day will be the last to be forgiven.