It’s the first day of December, so I’m munching on an Advent chocolate (courtesy of the Doctor Who Chistmas & New Year Countdown Calendar) as I welcome you to a leadership election free zone.

» Good Week

Apologies for being partisan, but I had to pick Acting Lib Dem Leader Dr Vince Cable, who’s had an excellent week. When not being praised for characterising Gordon Brown as turning from Stalin to Mr Bean – and featured in no less a forum than Popbitch – he’s been getting positive profiles in the press and media coverage for his dancing ambitions. Having no idea how to handle myself on the dancefloor, I was doing my best to imitate his moves at the Liberal Democrat Ball on Thursday night – only to wear myself out quickly, while Vince whirled on.

Vince has also inspired two fan groups on Facebook: Vince Cable deserves to be Prime Minister and ‘Cable So Able’ – The Vince Cable MP appreciation society. Hear hear.

» Bad Week

Poor Gordon. If not being talked about is less desirable than being talked about, for Gordon Brown surely being laughed at is even worse. You spend ten years trying to burnish a reputation for competence, only for your Government to implode shambolically within months of becoming PM.

You have to give Labour credit for something though – they know how to twist adversity to their advantage. Lose the personal data of 25 million people? “That’s why we need ID cards – to protect you from just this sort of incompetence.” Breach party funding rules? “This just goes to show why we can’t wait for a consensus on party funding but must act unilaterally” – in their favour, no doubt.

» Also in the news

The NatWest Three – at the centre of rows over the UK’s extradition relationship with the US last year – have entered into a plea bargain in the United States.

British teacher Gillian Gibbons has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation from Sudan after being found guilty of insulting religion for allowing a class of primary school children to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Emma Clarke, the “Voice of the London Underground”, has been sacked after Tube bosses decided she had been derogatory about their service. You can hear her selection of spoof Underground announcements on her website.

Christopher Biggins has won the latest series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (Hat-tip.)

» Coming up

Set your video/TiVo/DVD recorder/tape deck for…

• Sunday: Vince Cable on GMTV on ITV1
• Sunday: Sarah Teather on The Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4
• Monday: Julia Goldsworthy on The Wright Stuff on Five

I said I wouldn’t mention it, but for completeness: Sky News are having a leadership debate from 10am on Sunday.

» And finally…

Where The Queen covered crucial events of the Blair years…

* Will Howells sometimes has time to blog at No geek is an island.