Selling politics to today's youth is no easy task. But while Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative leader, flails in a search for youth- orientated policies, it seems Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, is trying to talk to the kids in language they understand.

Mr Watson uses his "blog", or online diary, to make a direct appeal, telling teenagers that "politics is cool, m'kay?" and they should "cut it with the bling bling and do something for the community, man".