The travelling political circus of the G7 that will descend on the rugged shores of Cornwall in June is variously seen as the premier diplomatic event of the year or as a talking shop which causes untold disruption but delivers little of value.
After being becalmed all year by the coronavirus pandemic, the little resort village of Carbis Bay can prepare to be turned upside down by the arrival of at least 10 world leaders, each trailing crowds of advisers, security personnel and media in their wake.
Rings of steel will be erected, whole swathes of the countryside be closed to the public and warships patrol the coast as a thousand TV cameras focus their stare on the likes of Joe Biden, Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron gathering for a tete-a-tete in an idyllic setting.
