Threatened by rivals and superseded by technology, Britain’s postmen are responding to their predicament by going on strike. This is not seen as a smart move in a situation where decline is threatening to turn into rout, though no one has yet offered them a compelling alternative.

It does seem to be the end of a long romance. A hundred years ago, Britain’s state-owned Post Office was a byword for value and efficiency. Homes could expect several deliveries a day: letters would shoot across London, and get replies, before nightfall. This was one of the factors that made the public warm to the idea of nationalising other industries.