The front page story: “Boris back to work” is accompanied by a photo. Our hero stands in the doorway of No 10, grinning, wild eyed and tie-less, his hair uncombed. It says everything we need to know. This is a man who feeds on popular approval, a man who does not bother with details, a man who believes himself to ride above the usual conventions.

He could not be less suited to a time of national emergency, with critical, finely balanced decisions pending. Pressure is growing for a relaxation of the lock down restrictions; that is not a matter of political ideology. It is a matter of life and death. The decision should be taken with care, after scrutiny of the arguments – and facts – on each side. Let me put my cards on the table: I do not have confidence in Johnson’s ability to perform at that level, nor in the integrity of his judgement if he does.