Apathy rules. Public scepticism is amplified by media cynicism. The outcome is not in doubt, or even if it is, it should not trouble us. The choice is between lesser and greater evils. Why not stay at home in protest? Politics in the post-ideological age is old hat.

Even before Tony Blair takes the ritual drive along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, the self-styled political classes have declared the coming general election boring. As ever, they are mistaken. True, the popular mood of irritable indifference is palpable enough. The error is to conclude that the lack (thus far) of real spark in the contest makes the result inconsequential. On the contrary, the outcome of this election will be more significant than any in recent memory.