Writes Angus MacSporran:

On a recent school excursion to our nation’s capital Canberra, my twelve year old daughter Isobel got to meet the Australian federal opposition leader, Mr. Tony Abbott, and in the process did her father proud. At the time, Isobel was not fully aware of who he was; she just thought he was like the local member of parliament who she has met before and thinks is a complete idiot. Apparently, Mr. Abbott was trying to put on the charm by giving high fives etc., but the kids just thought he was fake and slimy.

From what I hear, the exchange went something like this:

Mr Abbott: Hello young lady, and what do you want to be when you grow up?

Isobel: I want to be either a doctor or a vet.

Mr Abbott: Oh that sounds good, but wouldn’t you like to be a politician?

Isobel: No. I want to help people, not rule them.

After a moment of stunned silence, Mr. Abbott quickly shifted his attention to the next child and pretended nothing had happened.