Once in Parliament, Mr Corbyn continued to put the interests of his tiny faction above that of his party, waging a virtual one-man war against his own leadership.

Just as he had refused to serve in his school cadet force, he simply did not view politics as a team sport. Having never played by the rules, and failing to recognise a higher duty to public or party, he must have been baffled by David Cameron’s honourable decision to resign. To Corbyn, “doing the decent thing” is anathema.

In the 10 months since he came to power, many have commented on how clearly Comrade Corbyn enjoys the job he attested not to want.

Holed up in the bunker, his acolytes will today be urging him to ignore the pleas to stand aside for the good of party and country. For the sake of the cause he must stay on, they will tell him. And he will modestly agree.

Rosa Prince is the author of Comrade Corbyn.