The most promising mode of attack for the right may be state-led obstructionism.

True, it ill behoves national newspaper columnists and MPs, let alone Prime Ministers, to start pontificating about how men – and hitherto a too tiny handful of women – shouldn't be paid £30,000 a year to risk their lives by going into burning buildings when everybody else is leaving them.

Rebate your loves, each rival suit suspend, Till this funereal web my labors end.

Gloria is enormously pleased with our progress.