I have just come across some very interesting advice from Team Miliband. From the party criticised for the creation of the "nanny state", come six pages of advice on how to host a party.

Before the event

You are given a four paragraph script to read out on the phone as an invitation to your guests.

Your homework is to undertake Miliband's "research" list.

You have to pressure your guests into attendance (attendance is more or less compulsory at a David Miliband house meeting). And, don't worry if you alienate your friends in the process:

"Remind your guests the day before — try and build accountability into the relationship. If someone confirms then they should be there and you need to let people know you are disappointed if they don’t turn up... even if it’s just your mates!"

On the night

Team Miliband expects a clean home and some rather strict etiquette when it comes to a house meeting. Indeed, they detail it for you. Here are the best bits:

5.30pm, "Get in from work, give the place a quick vacuum and general tidy (or not, if you’re not that type). Put the oven on and get the nibbles in. If there are drinks, get them chilling. Pick some music."

7.00pm, "People are arriving, take their coats, get them a drink, all that good stuff. More importantly, get them to fill in the sign-in sheet."

7.30pm, David lists a couple of questions you can ask your guests/friends. "Name? What groups are you a member of? Who brought you into politics? OR Why did you join the Labour Party?"

8.40pm, You can read your guests a page about David Miliband (but remember, as it's written in the first person, pretend that these are actually your thoughts!):

"I hope you have enjoyed this evening - it’s been really interesting hearing your stories tonight and it just shows the need for us to organise in our local community. Whatever our different perspectives on the issues discussed tonight, one thing is clear — that we can achieve more together than we can on our own. Our communities need change ..."

With this six page list of guidelines, it appears that David's supporters are not trusted to host a campaign party without a bit of hand-holding. Maybe I am being a bit harsh. House meetings are an essential part of a campaign and a way to bring party members together to work for a common cause.

But one thing's for sure: David's idea of a party definitely isn't mine.

Image credit: Getty images