Labour really “cares”. It wishes to protect the vulnerable – particularly children and the elderly – from any abuse. It has duly set up a new body – known as the Independent Safeguarding Authority, under Sir Roger Singleton, to carry out checks on the criminal records of all those coming into contact with vulnerable people. Some criticise the government for being officious and interfering. Arguably, it has not gone far enough.

It has gone a long way though. An estimated 11.3m people are subject to a new “vetting and barring” regime, under which it will be a criminal offence, punishable by a £5,000 fine, to work with the vulnerable, without clearance. This will apply to most people working in the National Health Service, the prison service, education and childcare. It even seems likely to apply to people who take children to football matches.