Writing this newsletter requires the possession of half a dozen (minimum) fingertips and a moderately functioning human brain. Alas, the heat wave has put an end to the second attribute and between my ears there is now something resembling a collapsed blancmange.

Thus, a week after Andy Burnham’s election to parliament, I thought I’d let my colleagues’ stories do the talking rather than attempting any kind of analysis myself. Perusing our coverage gives a quick recap of this most unusual of starts to a prime ministerial term, so starting on Monday...