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Politicians' domestic lives are none of our business

A glance at the pre-election broadcasts tempts one to believe that voters are less concerned about the policies and leadership qualities of the rival party leaders, than their ability to pick up their dirty socks and cook spag bol for the kids. Samantha Cameron – my “secret weapon”, as "Dave" calls her – has been telling us on TV what an all round good egg her man really is when it comes to household duties. Sarah Brown – and now Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, wife of Nick Clegg – have done much the same.

This obsession with politicians' lives seems to be a particularly Anglo-Saxon fixation: in Continental Europe they're altogether less concerned. But is it really so misguided? Is all the tittle tattle just a distraction from the questions we should really be asking about who – and whose party – is best equipped to lead us?

Or are we correct in thinking that knowledge of how politicians conduct their private lives is an important key to judging their integrity, commitment and ability to face the challenges of government?