The element of surprise can work if it outfoxes the opposition, but not if shocks your own side.
Watch what he says, and what he does – not what we think he means, represents, or how he comes across.
This is probably a conversation that needs to take place between political staff on either side of the Atlantic.
The Foreign Secretary addresses the House of Commons on the subject of Donald Trump’s new immigration restrictions.
What’s the basis for this popular call to bar the President from Britain? That his “well-documented misogyny and vulgarity” would “cause embarrassment to Her Majesty”.
The Prime Minister grinds out her points on NATO and Russia, while Trump is riled by a question from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.
“It’s a great honour to have Winston Churchill back,” the President says – pointing to the bust situated behind them.
She meets Donald Trump later today.
“We should not jeopardise the freedoms…brought to Eastern Europe by accepting his claim that it is now in his sphere of influence.”
Downing Street may have briefed in advance that there’s no real comparison. But she will clearly play on it for all it’s worth.
“Let us renew the relationship that can lead the world towards the promise of freedom and prosperity marked out by those ordinary citizens 240 years ago.”
We can build a Britain that is fair on immigration, trades globally and is outward-looking – underpinned by great values of equality, fairness and freedom.