It was not the most auspicious start to a general election campaign for the Conservatives. Rain drenched, drowned out by a loud boom box, even Larry the Downing Street cat had a sense of bemusement as he prepared for what surely be a new master arriving in a few weeks’ time.

I always think that election campaigns deliver much heat but little light. I believe that we are fundamentally a fair nation of reasonable people, who by and large want the best for their families, country and neighbours. In spite of the appalling aberration of Brexit, we do not tend to go for the extremes. 

The country rejected Jeremy Corbyn for instance and Nigel Farage – while trying for an eighth time in Clacton this year – has yet to win a parliamentary seat having been rejected on seven occasions.