At times of political crisis an encampment of tents springs up on the small patch of grass across the road from the House of Lords, known as College Green or Abingdon Green. This is where TV cameras have the best view of the Palace of Westminster, and where they interview politicians and commentators.

At election times the big broadcasters build large raised platforms of the kind you would expect medieval royalty to sit in to watch jousting tournaments. At times of impromptu excitement such as last week’s, the tents are more like summer wedding gazebos.