There have been equivalents in Britain, the best being John Prescott. Numbingly inarticulate, his syntax verged on anarchic. However those who worked with him closely said he was rather good when it came to the nitty gritty of getting things done.

I was responsible for the Telegraph’s coverage of the Millennium Dome fiasco, and those who dealt with Mr Prescott – including some Conservative party members and supporters – said his intellectual grasp of detail was astonishing.

All three men resonated with voters in a way that “conventional” politicians could not. Memorably, Labour’s poll ratings rose when Mr Prescott thumped the egg-throwing protester in Rhyl during the 2001 general election. This is where Donald Trump comes in.