OK, I’ll admit it. Tony Blair finally did something admirable. Say what you like but the newly released list of guests that Blair invited to Chequers while Prime Minister reveals him to be an autodidact surrounding himself with some of Britain’s finest minds. Reading the list you can almost hear Blair’s neurons firing, forming new connections, massively improving his intellect to meet the exacting standards of his job.

Just imagine the contribution to the safety and security of the country that a conversation with Charlotte Church would have provided. The share price of UK Plc surely soared after the Prime Minister had absorbed the wisdom of Vernon Kay. No doubt Blair was invigorated with a new sense of purpose to plant a new Grove of Academe and Elysian Field of British culture after sharing a Creme Brulee with Chris Evans.

No, it’s clear that Tony Blair, to borrow from his successor, sought to build a dinner party of all the talents. He and his wife had nothing but the country’s best interests at heart.