Todays newspapers focus on Labour´s Deputy Leader having had an affair. Not so long ago, it was revealed that former Conservative Leader John Major had had an affair, as had Liberal leader Paddy Ashdown. Nor are the minor parties immune: UKIP´s leader in the EP Nigel Farrage was revealed only a few months ago with graphic details - not to mention Godfrey Bloom's admission that he visited brothels.

So what conclusion to draw? All parties seem equally exposed, so it's hard to draw political conclusions. Nor can personal conclusions be drawn without knowing more about the private life of the individuals concerned. Would it not be better if, as in most other European countries, the press were not to focus in on salacious gossip about public figures but more on the real issues they are dealing with?