If true, the proposed offer of associate Commonwealth membership to the United States, post-Brexit and in the era of the Trump tariffs, would be a masterstroke. Donald Trump responded favourably to rumours King Charles will formally offer the US the opportunity to become the next member of the 56-strong international association during the President's next State visit to Britain.

While largely symbolic, that symbolism would cement UK-US ties in a heightened era of global tensions. As the Commonwealth is comprised of former British colonies, it would not be illogical to offer membership to the US. Little wonder Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote in response: "A Commonwealth with the USA would complete the alliance of the English-speaking peoples and help prevent the spread of CCP [Chinese Communist Party] influence."

Indeed, given the debate raging about handing the strategic Chagos Islands to Chinese ally Mauritius, the CCP angle is especially significant. The Chagos Islands includes Diego Garcia, home to a joint UK-US military base which, while still leased to Britain under the terms of the handover deal, would be at risk of being spied upon by Beijing.

So fair play to Sir Keir Starmer. Even critics of the PM need to be even-handed in their criticism. In fact, as in so many areas, it speaks volumes that the Tories never made such a move or indeed made any serious attempt to re-engage with the Commonwealth.

As I argued last week, the UK should use this moment to reunite as much as possible with the Commonwealth, not least countries with which it shares a king in Charles such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Still, symbolic though it might be, offering associate Commonwealth membership to the US would be all upside, not least given that the half-British, Anglophile and royalist Donald Trump seems so open to the idea. Britain has a decent hand to play on the world stage if it chooses to play it. This might just be the moment to demonstrate how much the UK is ready to maximise its advantages.