Tortured expressions and grimaces have become a common feature of this election, as people discuss who they can bear to put their cross next to.

The two main parties have deeply unpopular leaders. Last month, the polling guru Sir John Curtice reported that Boris Johnson had a 40 per cent disapproval rating, while Jeremy Corbyn’s was 58 per cent. That, combined with the divisive nature of the Brexit debate, has meant that tactical voting has become one of the major campiagn themes.

The final, crucial, element in this messy reality is our first past the post electoral system. It means that too many candidates have no chance of winning in too many seats. Brexit has pushed almost every aspect of our politics to breaking point.