The prime minister’s cautious stance about helping the US against the Tehran regime mirrors that of the electorate

It was perhaps the most attention-grabbing moment of prime minister’s questions. Responding to yet another Conservative salvo about his approach to Iran and how it might affect ties with America, Keir Starmer was direct.

“American planes are operating out of British bases – that is the special relationship in action,” he said. “Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe – that is the special relationship in action. Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action.”

And certainly in the last few days, hanging on to and then endlessly, painfully analysing Trump’s ever-changing opinions has become even more of a national pursuit than it was before.