The lady is clearly “not for turning”. To adapt a famous remark of Margaret Thatcher’s, Theresa May as Prime Minister has dug herself into the same position that she adopted as Home Secretary: refugees should as far as possible remain someone else’s problem. Her contribution to the United Nations’ review of the world refugee crisis this week was merely to reiterate her existing policy.

This is that refugees entitled to asylum should be granted it in the first “safe” country they can reach – and then stay there. Those who do not register in that first safe country, but make it to Britain illegally, should be sent back. Then international aid should be directed at refugee camps nearest to the refugees’ home country, and it must be said Britain has been generous in its help to camps alongside the Syrian and Iraqi borders. And a sharp distinction should be maintained between those genuinely fleeing persecution and those merely seeking a better life.