Ehman admits there has always been an element of collusion between defenders and challengers: In the Cup's history, he says, no "challenger of record" has ever made it out of the semifinals, let alone won the match.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But given the last one was way back in 1926, ten years before Fred Perry won his last tennis major, let alone Andy Murray, there is little wonder rhetoric about it on the Brighton seafront is resonating beyond the conference hall.

BBC: TUC: General strike demands dominate union gathering

So - pressure groups and their supporters take note - there's not much point in a busy MP spending a morning in the chamber to dance attendance on a bill that won't even be discussed, let alone voted on.

BBC: Week ahead