1. What you see...A major complaint about politicians is that they are totally out-of-touch with Mr and Mrs Average. Big Brother contestants are regarded, it seems, as more like you and me, suggesting that the UK is inhabited by screaming wannabe sci-fi fans.

Justine: Ms Average

In other words, MPs need to show their human sides. Tony Blair needs to let slip his favourite biscuit - cantuccino flown in from Tuscany, no doubt. Iain Duncan Smith should say if he's for Star Trek or Blakes 7. MPs generally need to cosy up with a glass or two of cider to talk about their star signs.

2. Plain speaking...More often than not, Big Brother inmates seem so lacking in self-awareness that they'll say or do almost anything in their pursuit of a �70,000 cheque and a career as a Z-list celebrity.

In this they share something with MPs, many of whom will do almost anything to win an election in the hope that one day they will become junior minister in charge of weights and measures.

Many feel that Big Brother inmates are just prancing ego-maniacs happy to hold court on every subject under the sun A politics lesson from Big Brother

The thing is, most MPs are much, much better at disguising their naked ambition - in relation to Big Brother inmates that is - and as a result many are seen as stilted, pompous and out-of-touch. The Big Brother contestants, for all their frailties, seem to be regarded more fondly.

The message to MPs? Open up a little, throw the occasional wobbler. Burst into tears for no apparent reason. Stay up late talking about life and stuff.

3. The world is watching...With cameras in every room, nothing the Big Brother contestants do or say is ever missed. Parliament is not quite so well covered.

Dressing more like Mr Average?

And if cameras were allowed a glimpse of the tea rooms, the restaurants and the corridors of power - not to mention the cabinet room - the outside world would get an illuminating insight into the Westminster village.

We'd get the plotting, the backstage deals and the blazing rows.

Trouble is, unlike Big Brother hopefuls who appear more than willing to bare their souls, politicians would probably just get a new haircut and clam up. And then nothing would get done.

4. A mass market...Like it or not, millions of people watch Big Brother, particularly on eviction day. Many of them actually take the trouble to cast their verdict on the daily sagas of the assorted Craigs, Brians and Anouskas.

Lessons from the BB house?

In the world of the Tonys, Iains and Margarets, the public's apparent disdain for politics and politicians is a major preoccupation. Poor turnouts for elections have them wringing their hands and searching for new ways of persuading people to use their votes.

They're trying internet and text-message voting already. All they need now is a prime time TV eviction show once a week instead of every four years - it'd be more exciting and more glamourous. And who knows, the evictee might get a job presenting on a shopping channel?

5. Cooling off...When it all gets too much, the Big Brother contestants have the diary room to cool off. It's an ideal chance to make your pitch as an all round good egg before the watching millions. Alternatively, Big Brother can haul an inmate in for a chat.

Down in Westminster, MPs could be given their own little room to get things off their chest, privately and confidentially of course...(as if).

Many feel that Big Brother inmates are just prancing ego-maniacs happy to hold court on every subject under the sun

Clare Short could have vented forth on Iraq, for instance. Or Tony Blair could reveal what he really thinks of Gordon Brown. MPs could be asked about the burning issues of the day: "Why did you vote against line 14 of the statutory instruments bill last Thursday?"

And then everything they say could "accidentally" be broadcast on the news.

6. Rules and regulations....The Big Brother contestants must abide by nine straightforward rules: no contact with the outside world, no discussion of nominations, compulsory tasks etc,etc.

Until recently, MPs had to wear a hat in order to ask a point of order during a vote in the Commons chamber. They still can't refer to a colleague by name during debates. And to vote they get up, walk round the corner and then return to their seat.

Must be a lesson in there somewhere.

7. A problem shared...The weekly task is one of the highlights in a Big Brother week. The group works together for the common good, standing or falling on the success of a united approach.

In Westminster, Tony Blair pretty much decides, the cabinet nod their heads in agreement, most Labour MPs fall into line and the opposition parties slag it all off.

Time then for a more collaborative approach: everyone working together to hammer out a conclusion acceptable to all sides. With a national TV vote to approve the decision.

8. A principled position...Cameron hates hypochondriacs. Federico doesn't like people who constantly raise their voices. Justine is no fan of those who don't say "bless you" when she sneezes.

Firmly-held principles, out there loud and proud for everyone to see. And who would doubt them?

Whisper it quietly, but many MPs also have principles they treasure just as dearly. It's just that too much of the time they daren't shout about it for fear of offending the whips or even their constituents. In some cases their principles relate to even more important things than sneezing or shouting loudly.

But many people are more inclined to believe that most MPs are just rampant exhibitionists in it for themselves - and politicians do little to challenge that. As Tony Blair said last year - and you can argue among yourselves about whether he really meant it - it's time to be a bit bolder.

9. The egos have landed...Many feel that Big Brother inmates are just prancing ego-maniacs happy to hold court on every subject under the sun, often basing their arguments on the flimsiest of evidence and desperately hoping that somewhere down the line, a life of fame and fortune awaits.

There can be vicious backbiting while they're doing the washing up or furtive plotting by the chicken run. But often it's extraordinarily dull, with long empty hours filled with chitter-chatter about biscuits or shoes.

So nothing for many politicians to learn here then.

10. Compelling viewing...The grim truth is that Big Brother's huge TV audience is fascinated with the goings-on in the house. Who messed up the weekly task? Who slagged off jolly Cameron, the fish market man? Did Jon really spout all that nonsense about toast?

People are less interested in what goes on every day at Westminster. Are we giving up our sovereignty via the convention on the future of Europe? By how much did the UK's holdings of international reserves rise last month? Is Tony Blair really a neo-con?

The lesson? Everything that happens in Westminster really does matter. And the responsibility lies with politicians to explain more clearly why that is.