Ed Balls has hit back at Russell Brand with a highly commendable, albeit somewhat out of date response to the comedian's rather graphic putdown of the shadow chancellor.
During the Channel 4's Big Fat Anniversary Quiz, Brand said he once shook Balls' hand and found him to be a "click-wristed snidey c**t" and a "click-wristed prick".
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But Balls hit back today, labelling Brand a "Poundshop Ben Elton" - a reference to Brand calling Ukip Leader Nigel Farage a "Poundshop Enoch Powell" on Question Time last month.
He also said he found "a rather better political commentator" in comedienne Jo Brand.
On a day meant to be focussing on Labour's offerings to the electorate ahead of May's General Election, Balls told BBC News: "I wasn't quite sure what it (Brand's comment) meant to be honest.
"I'm not quite sure what clicky-wristed means, I don't know whether that's supposed to be offensive or funny or whatever.
"I suppose I think he is quite funny sometimes. I think probably Jo Brand is a rather better political commentator.
"I suppose you could call him a Poundshop Ben Elton but it doesn't mean he is not sometimes funny."
Elton, 55, who has not yet commented on the comparison, came to prominence as a politically charged standup in the 1980s and later took up writing novels. He penned the book to the Queen musical 'We Will Rock You'.
He also wrote 80s comedies 'Blackadder' and 'The Young Ones'.
Tweeters noted that the reference suggested Balls was not massively in touch with the contemporary comedy scene.
While another pondered, or perhaps dreaded, what it could mean for Brand's future career trajectory.