All couples argue but rarely so furiously that neighbours become concerned for their well-being.
That police were called to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds’ argument suggests it escalated beyond a “routine” row.
Research finds the more “stressors” a couple or either partner has, the more likely there will be discord.
Boris has plenty of stressors to contend with.
Not only is he running for Conservative party leadership during profound divisions over Brexit, but he has yet to finalise a divorce from wife Marina Wheeler.
Anyone who’s going through divorce is under a great deal of pressure, particularly when children are involved. Boris has a brood of at least five children, with rumours of a sixth.
As well as keeping an eye on his publicly acknowledged children, keeping a potential love child secret would create enormous strain.
On top of these obvious stressors, with Boris 55 and Carrie 31, there’s a 24-year age gap.
Divorce research reveals that a couple contending with such a gap has little chance of sustaining the relationship long term.
One can speculate that Boris may blunder into – and through – relationships without much thought. He may even be drawn to drama and thrive on risk-taking.
He might need excitement to feel “alive”.
Although it takes two to have a rather volcanic argument, you’d expect a certain level-headedness from a man who wants to lead the country in a time when nerves of steel are a prerequisite.
