The Twitter ".@", the most passive-aggressive form of communication in the known world, has made its way into politics.
At some point in the last fortnight Britain's political leaders have discovered that putting a full stop in front of their rival's name on Twitter is a way of broadcasting party lines, while also attempting to deliver a political slap down.
Using the humble ".@" ensures that all of the politicians' Twitter followers – and not just the individuals crazy enough to follow every party leader – are treated to the attempt to start a conversation.
For some reason it's taken the endless debate over the TV leaders' debates to introduce this form of communication to Westminster.
First out of the traps was Nick Clegg, who tweeted this one-two ".@" last week.
.@David_Cameron The British public want the debates so let's get on with it. Stop holding them to ransom by trying to dictate the terms.
This is the same Nick Clegg who regularly meets with the prime minister in his role as deputy prime minister. Just 90 minutes after sending this tweet Clegg was awkwardly sitting next to David Cameron in the House of Commons.
Then Ed Miliband had a go, sticking it to Cameron with this ".@" attack.
.@David_Cameron why are you running scared of TV debates? The British people want a head-to-head TV debate. Let's give it to them.
A week later and Cameron himself started to get involved, although he eschewed the ".@" in favour of a sort-of subtweet.
Nigel Farage is attention seeking. The laws protect people from racial discrimination. It's deeply concerning he doesn't understand that.
Which then prompted Nigel Farage to start ".@ing" Cameron in return.
.@David_Cameron The people the law doesn't protect are British workers, black or white. Disturbing, though unsurprising, that u don't care.
Then the UKIP leader started ".@ing" Ed Miliband.
.@Ed_Miliband The laws don't represent these values, Ed. The British people do. We believe in Britain. You believe in bureaucracy.
Then the UKIP leader just went off on one.
Since the other parties all want to debate ABOUT me, how about they DEBATE ME instead? How about it? @David_Cameron, @Ed_Miliband?
Welcome to the general election, 2015 style.
None of the party leaders have actually started to replying to each other yet. But it's only a matter of time until our leading politicians start hate faving, indulging in manual RTs, and starting self-indulgent ask.fm sessions.