Those getting in a lather about Gordon Brown’s speaking record are ignoring tradition. The lore of the land. The former PM is behaving quite normally.

Winston Churchill spoke twice after stepping down as PM. The first time was four and a half years after leaving Downing Street, on 25th Nov 1959. Both interventions were to acknowledge birthday wishes.

Both Harold Macmillan and Mrs Thatcher spoke just four times after resigning as PM. Mrs Thatcher first spoke three months after her resignation.

After stepping down as leader of the Conservative party, John Major didn’t speak again for eight months.

Yet none of the above faced the barrage of venom which is being rained down on Gordon. Go figure. And tell your friends.