Members of Camden Conservative Party might have seen the bright side to David Miliband’s imminent departure to the US to run a charity, but it will be a blow to pupils at his alma mater.

Last week one Conservative stalwart, Cllr Jonny Bucknell (Belsize ward), told the Ham&High: “I am quite pleased he is off to America because he will be less of a threat. Nobody is quite as formidable an opponent 3,000 miles away.”

However, the Labour man will definitely be missed at his old stamping ground, Haverstock School in Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, where he has been lending a hand with teaching A-level politics in recent years.

Headteacher John Dowd said this week: “We will miss his visits, his teaching and the personal relationships with our young people, and this country will miss his political and intellectual prowess at a time of enormous challenge.

“I am sure, however, that David will keep in touch and continue to add to our aspirations, ethos and ambitions, albeit from a different perspective.”