Russell Jones's Week Moment: Name Your Enemy

Russell Jones surveys a truly chaotic week in the run-up to Reform's bid to win the Runcorn & Helsby by election

The concept of “Naming your enemy” is central to all storytelling. Once an author has defined the people and forces opposing their protagonist, it’s easier to make us root for the hero. So as he struggles to re-enter normal life, let me assist Michael Fabricant with the process of naming his three greatest adversaries: public opinion, Toni and Guy.

For those fortunate enough to have completely forgotten 14 years of … whatever the word is for the Conservative equivalent of governance … let me remind you: Fabricant was that wildly grinning ukulele enthusiast with the signature look of an Oompa Loompa losing a fight with a kitchen mop.

Not ringing any bells? Try this: the larval form of David Dickinson, a notoriously shy creature who could have given part of his £5 million wealth to charity, but instead chose to cycle naked around a London park until much poorer people gave in and handed over their money instead.