All political shocks see commentators rush for an appropriate historical parallel. The momentous events of the past week have been no exception.

Comparisons between the new Independent Group and the Social Democratic Party have quickly become commonplace. These have led many to suggest that whatever bright sparks the group might create today, they will lead to nothing of consequence; that just like the SDP, which began with great hopes of changing British politics, the Independent Group will end in failure.

No historical comparison is perfect, but I believe that we are living in a re-run of sorts. Not of the 1980s, but something closer to the 1920s. It is ironic that having just commemorated the end of the Great War, so few are aware that