The Labour Party loses so often it is tempting to think that, at some level, it must enjoy the experience. Something about the retained self-righteousness, the continued purity, the unsullied refusal to bend towards electoral whim accords with a party whose advocates are so tediously fond of reminding you of the importance of their values. Watch Jeremy Corbyn’s extraordinary performance on Wednesday at the first prime minister’s questions since he delivered Labour’s worst election result since 1935. Shouting pieties into the void, Mr Corbyn carried on as if nothing had happened.

There is a risk that the contest to replace Mr Corbyn is conducted in the language of impending doom. So far Sir Keir Starmer, the clear favourite, appears to be auditioning for the leading