But They Never Had The Latin

Following his latest party piece, remember that the Young Fogeyism that Jacob Rees-Mogg embodies, and which has so clearly influenced Boris Johnson, was just a fashion subculture of their youth. 

There is nothing eternal or perennial about it. They may as well present themselves as punks, or goths, or New Romantics.

Rees-Mogg is younger than Damon Albarn, Noel Gallagher and Kylie Minogue. He may as well conduct his parliamentary duties dressed up as a member of Duran Duran.

Still, the simple presence of Rees-Mogg, like that of Johnson, annoys all the right people. You know who you are. Your route to the Cabinet was mapped out from the cradle, yet look who is there instead.

Or ever might be, however improbably. Keir Starmer took an LLB in 1985, and an Oxford BCL in 1986. Entirely literally, he also has the Latin. But you don't.