Quite extraordinary today – I am having lunch with the American Ambassador (and five other senior Lib Dems – obviously not just me) and then later going to the premier of Blood Diamonds. I know – this is just not the staple diet I am used to – and like buses two things have come together on the same day.

The US Embassy is such an ugly building. And now – starkly guarded with concrete, fencing and guards – it feels hostile. Everyone was very nice at the lunch. And Mr Ambassador very genial. Given the slight tension between Lib Dems and the Government’s pro-American foreign policy I guess it could have been more difficult than it actually was. All sides recognised that we may have differences (!) but we still have a lot in common and that we may not like American foreign policy in Iraq but we don’t not like America.

It was a cordial affair – and yes – even with major world events on the agenda – Big Brother still raised its ugly head!