Perhaps, after all, sexual morality does still matter in politics

This is not something that we are keen to discuss, for we are pretty sure that we have become far less puritanical, and that this is a good thing. But try this experiment. Imagine a slightly different version of Boris: funny, human, brilliant, a bit chaotic-seeming, and so on – but without any hint of sexual scandal.

There would still have been question marks over such a Boris becoming PM – especially after his opportunistic Brexit decision. But they would have faded as the prospect of a charismatic, nation-enthusing leader emerged. Some would have called this Boris fundamentally untrustworthy, citing episodes of bullying and aggressive ambition, but such qualms would have been marginal.

It is, I suggest, unthinkable that Michael Gove would have dared to present such a Boris as fundamentally unreliable.

But a reputation for sexual dishonesty changes things. It makes many people stop and think about his charm. For on a deep visceral level we are wary of charm that has the power to disrupt the most important human bonds.