Mr Carter may be no more than a cuddly old joke to many conservatives nowadays.

ECONOMIST: A toothy nightmare for Republicans

Moreover, Mr Major also inherited the poll tax, the product of his predecessor's attempt to reform local-government finance, which had young rebels on the streets and old rebels deserting the Conservatives in droves.

ECONOMIST: John Major

It is clear that Mr Graham has felt most comfortable with conservatives of the old, pre-Moral Majority stamp.

ECONOMIST: American evangelism