Given her government’s ability to make a dog’s breakfast of most things, it’s perhaps no surprise that Theresa May wanted to get a canine companion that might actually enjoy digesting it all.

At one stage the prime minister had her heart set on a chocolate labrador puppy, supposedly to soften her image. However, according to a new book, Betting the House, the idea came to nothing because Mrs May was worried about who would walk it while she was away doing prime ministerial things like being snubbed at European summits and helping presidents down steps.

All of which is admirably sensible and responsible, but she should reconsider. Mrs May is a dog person. One of the things I most admire about her is her