Her informality and her tactile manner proved to be a challenge the male, middle-aged culture of Ulster Unionist politics could not meet. When she was no less familiar with their opponents, it fuelled suspicion about her sympathies. Indeed, he informed reporters that she should make a wonderful secretary of state. Party workers were horrified.Ms Mowlam also built bridges to the Ulster Unionists, addressing a meeting in the constituency of Willie Ross, one of the most conservative of the Unionist MPs, and becoming the first Labour spokesperson to speak to a UUP conference fringe.

The old Etonian and ex-Guardsman was disarmed by her informality, as when Ms Mowlam arrived in his private office complaining about having to change her tights in a taxi. During the general election campaign, Sir Patrick proved unable to criticise his shadow. Mr Norton, who is five years her junior, is a merchant banker and Labour sympathiser. He has been divorced and has two children, Henrietta and Freddy.After Ms Mowlam became Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, some colleagues thought they detected the slight disenchantment an ambitious politician feels for an unrewarding job, but she was crucial in re-orientating Labour’s policy.

Mr Blair had already dumped one crucial element by announcing that a Labour government would not be a “persuader” for a united Ireland. Labour took a bi-partisan approach towards Ireland, the quid pro quo being constant briefings from ministers. The relationship with the lofty, patrician Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew, bore the marks of a classic Mowlam operation. Not that she lacked close company; she had affairs, including one with Colin Hughes, now deputy editor of The Independent. Her theory is that the insecurity of her early life made it difficult for her to become too deeply involved in a relationship, or to provide the commitment for marriage. She and her husband John Norton lived together for four years before marrying, in a register office rather than a church – if Ms Mowlam has religious convictions she keeps them to herself. Returning by train from the Eastbourne by-election, she confided to John Patten, Secretary of State for Education, that Blair was concerned about the lack of living space in No 10 Downing Street.Her personal life was neither smooth nor conventional.