Giving pre-election speeches in the 18th and 19th centuries was a seriously tough gig.

Larry the Downing Street cat does not approve of this historic and barbaric practice.

With no microphones, political candidates had to battle the weather and the noise of a rowdy crowd to make themselves heard.

But worse than that, as well as having to overcome energetic hecklers, would-be MPs were frequently pelted with objects as unpleasant as dead cats and dogs, faeces and stones.

One candidate, Henry Brougham, braved an incredible 206 public speeches during his campaign to be elected in Liverpool, but still lost.