I was a campaign virgin when I saw Gordon Brown meet Mrs Duffy

“Mrs Duffy,” the reporter began, a smudge of fake concern loitering between his eyes, “we have to tell you the prime minister just said something . . .”

By Tanya Gold

It was Duffy Day, or Biddygate, or Gaffe-a-thon: Rochdale, 2010. I was a campaign virgin.

I stood in the press huddle as Gillian Duffy heckled Gordon Brown. Because she was an elderly woman who had always voted Labour, he couldn’t punch her in the face, or tell her to piss off. It’s one of the principles of campaigning. There must be hugs, when love there is none.