“Events, dear boy, events.”

That was the reply, attributed to Harold MacMillan, in response to a question from a journalist when questioned as to what the Prime Minister feared most.

It is not certain that he actually said it, or, if he did, in what circumstances, but it has become a cliché, often quoted when something comes at us out of the blue. And like many clichés, it has become so well used because it contains a kernel of truth.

Sadly, since I last wrote this column, we have seen events none of us could have predicted and none will want to see repeated.

It is truly appalling to think anyone could consider a concert attended by so many young people, or people enjoying a night out in London’s bars and restaurants, to be legitimate targets.

Their aim is to terrorise, but it is clear to me – whether I am watching the star studded concert put together by Ariana Grande or the simple dignity of the community of Barra laying young Eilidh MacLeod to rest – that those who seek victory through terror will never win.

Martin Luther King Jr said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

In that last column I talked of how we were heading straight from one election campaign into another. I know that when this surprise General Election was called there was a lot of talk about electoral fatigue and the possibility of voter apathy.

But if those horrendous attacks in Manchester and London tell us anything it is that we must not bend to those who would undermine our way of life and the hard-won rights of our modern democratic society are a precious part of that.

Yes, we disagree. Sometimes vehemently. But the way in which we settle these differences and determine the future direction of our country is through discussion, debate and, importantly, the ballot box.

This campaign has paused twice to pay tribute to people whose lives have been taken by those who seek to undermine all of that but each time it has resumed.

Campaigners have tried to persuade voters that they are best placed to represent the people in their area, that their party has the programme and the vision to take our economy, our society and our country forward.

There are many in politics with whom I disagree profoundly but I recognise that while we reach different conclusions as to how to get there, we share a common desire to make lives better for the people we seek to represent.

This has been an election campaign like no other and I urge everyone who has the right to vote on Thursday to get along to your local polling station and exercise that right.