The SNP were determined to take the whole front-row of the opposition benches, to the left of the gangway in the Commons, in order mark their status as the third party. They even had MPs on a rota hogging the seats all morning in order to beat off the Labour awkward squad.

Five minutes before the Commons reconvened Denis Skinner turned up and promptly took his old seat. And that was that.

Yet it was not a complete disaster for the newbie Nats. Neanderthals such as Ronnie Campbell and Ian Lavery commanded no such respect and were forced to stand. The fun and games begin…