Turns each

I can't help thinking we're being "played" over the next Chairman of the BBC Trust. First of all, Downing Street apparently lets it be known that they'd prefer a woman. We all go off and compile lists.

Now Lord Coe is "said to have the firm support of David Cameron", and the explicit backing of Boris Johnson - which ought to make it a cert. It is possible that this is an attempt to get Seb what he really wants - a top job in international athletics, en route to running the Olympics. Candidates like to be seen as people in demand.

But the choreography suggests a done deal for a new tenant at 180 Portland Place. And we are being misdirected from the issue, which Harriet Harman might eventually notice. The tradition is that the BBC role passes between people with Labour and Tory roots in turn - over the last 30 years the order has been Marmaduke Hussey, Gavyn Davies, Michael Grade, Michael Lyons and Chris Patten. It should be Labour's go. Anything important happening in 2015 ?