Cleese promises to write jokes for Obama

John Cleese believes that he – and perhaps he alone – can tip the American Presidential campaign in Barack Obama's favour. The Monty Python star, who now resides in California, has revealed that he's been keeping a beady eye on the charismatic senator and not found him wanting. Furthermore, he has let it be known that should Obama win the Democratic nomination he can expect a call from the comedian-cum-corporate-training video specialist.

"I am due to come to Europe in November," says Cleese, "but I may be tied up until then because if Barack Obama gets the nomination I'm going to offer my services to him as a speechwriter because I think he is a brilliant man."

Whether Obama is aware of Cleese's intentions is not known; the fact the actor let slip this information in the Western Daily Press newspaper during the course of a conversation about his beloved Bristol City Football Club suggests not.

In any event, we must hope that Cleese's support, if it is accepted, proves more helpful than his last foray into politics. In 1987 he took part in a party political broadcast for the SDP/Liberal Alliance. The party were annihilated at the General Election, with their share of Westminster seats reduced to just 23.