Less likely to win is the pugnaciously shrewd Ed Balls (pictured right), who worked with the younger Miliband in Mr Brown's entourage.

ECONOMIST: Britain is in store for another perilously close election

Pat Buchanan , a pugnaciously conservative contender for the Republican presidential nomination, strongly hinted at an interest in joining the Reform Party.

ECONOMIST: East Timor's cavalry?

But at the time the expression matched the widespread feeling about the British leader, pugnaciously leading a brave nation against an all-conquering foe.

ECONOMIST: Yousuf Karsh