This week Mr Primakov held a friendly meeting with Mr Luzhkov and demonstratively backed the president in the Federation Council.

ECONOMIST: Russia

On the other hand the template of Labour's policies for failing banks has been established, and Mr Johnson does enjoy a recession-friendly talent that Mr Brown lacks: the ability to soothe voters worrying, beneath the expenses furore, about their own homes and jobs.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

The docile, friendly Mr. Met--the last link to the club's original 1962 expansion days--fits the bill.

FORBES