Tom Harris

The narrative had the heroic Labour leader heading the call of the nation, and at the last minute leaping into action to fight the good fight. The reality is that very few people would have noticed if Jeremy Corbyn had stuck to his original decision to deputise someone else. Such was the incoherence and noise of a debate involving seven speakers, that he found it difficult to find his groove, let alone a memorable, line of attack.

His decision to take part won him some positive publicity, butthe debate itself, however, failed to help Mr Corbyn advance his case that he is a suitable candidate for Prime Minister.