Have you noticed that Ed Miliband wants to emphasise he's on the side of the nation?
If you haven't, then this week's PMQs would have hammered it home – with a comedy-sized club.
It wasn't subtle.
"We are talking about people in this country…"
"The country and I are simply asking for an explanation…"
"I think he has convinced the country that he is on another planet…"
Flanked by Tessa, Yvette and Harriet, Miliband led on directly-elected police.
He thanked "our fabulous police" for their work on the riots. "It is on the subject of police that I start my questions to the PM," he intoned like a vicar beginning a particularly well-recited sermon.
He asked how much it will cost to hold police elections in November of next year, rather than at the same time as local elections.
The prime minister replied succinctly: "An extra £25m but will not be taken from the police budget."
"So he is making a bad policy worse by costing more money," retorted Miliband. He repeated the police cut figures that Yvette Cooper released yesterday.
42 elected police chiefs at £120,000 a year instead of 2,000 police officers.
"As ever, he's got his figures totally wrong," responded Cameron. "Why is he frightened of direct elections so that police become accountable?"
Miliband shook his head. "We know he's got the wrong priorities on the police. But he's also got the wrong priorities on the health service as well." It wasn't a seamless transition to his next subject.
Cameron noticed. "I'm not surprised he wants to change subject," he crowed.
Miliband finished: "Under this government, we are seeing reckless reorganisation of our health service. [These are] disruptive and dangerous plans."
But the prime minister wasn't done yet. "In six questions, he doesn't dare mention the economy," said Cameron.
The Labour leader also didn't mention elephants, Boris bikes or mirror carp. But with Alistair Darling's book on the economy out this week, Cameron was determined to have at least one opportunity to make a dig.
Miliband didn't quite manage portray himself as father of the nation. And Cameron didn't get to use his big book of 'Labour on the economy' jokes.
All rather unsatisfying, really… until Nadine Dorries stood up to speak ahead of her abortion debate this afternoon.
She smiled. And then she spoke.
"Does the prime minister think it's time to tell the deputy prime minister who's boss?"
The chamber roared.
"The honorable lady is extremely frustrated..." Cameron faltered, looking to his right. Nick Clegg tried for a wry smile and failed.
"Maybe I should start again..." tried Cameron, but the laughter was too loud.
"I think I'm going to give up on this one."
And then the prime minister sat down. Dorries looked fuming.
If David Cameron was supposed to show who's boss, it was not his finest attempt.
But then, no one, it seems, is the boss of Nadine Dorries.
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