Last updated 16:46, Wednesday, 05 November 2008

Peel away the showbiz – and of course the money – and America’s electoral democracy is a clumsy, cumbersome, interminably long affair.

That’s what makes it probably the best and therefore most influential democracy in the world – involving and informing every voter, allowing radical change. Real politics.

By comparison our own process looks like a half-hearted reshuffling of usual suspects; little to tell between them, reluctant to rock their own boats with necessary overhaul. A pale imitation of democracy in action.

Genuine change reached America today, which means – like it or not – real change will be felt here and around the rest of the world. That’s just a fact.

We don’t know yet precisely what that change will be but the truth is we’re going to have to rise to its occasion. From world order and wars to economic crises, we are part of it.

Barack Obama is promising new start, fresh thinking, invigorated engagement with progressive politics and in doing so he’s inspiring America to rejuvenated optimism.

Here Gordon Brown says he looks forward to working with him. “We share many values,” he insists. Among them, sadly, are not eagerness to meet hunger for change, willingness to engage in real politics or ability to excite voters of all ages colours and creeds to reclaimed hope for their country.