On matters of war, of life and death, of economics, we hear emotional appeals in the Commons. It may be engaging, but I’m not sure it is right

Recently, John Healey, the relatively new defence secretary, made a personal confession. He told how his son’s current military service “plays on his mind when deciding to commit British soldiers to areas of risk”. He confessed that “it makes me lose sleep” and helps him “understand the gravity of military action overseas”.

We can only sympathise, and some might perhaps be thankful that such human responses weigh on decisions being made on our behalf.