Reform finds itself on the right side of the foreign policy argument yet again. Amid dithering and weakness over both the Chagos Islands and aiding the Americans when it comes to Iran, Nigel Farage has shown consistency. The Reform chief has been a strident critic of the Chagos great Chinese takeaway – whereby the British Indian Ocean territory will be handed over to China ally the Maldives at British taxpayers’ expense – while previously attending rallies in support of Iranian reformists. Following events in the Middle East, Farage rightly said Iranian refugees – if they manifest – should be housed in neighbouring countries, not in the UK, which has more than taken in its fair share of asylum seekers.

Moreover, he said, many liberal-minded Iranians who left their country would be minded to return if a new liberal government was in place. Reform now has a golden opportunity to reshape UK foreign and defence policy, especially by re-energising an increasingly woke Foreign Office, recalibrating post-Brexit Britain ‘east of Suez’, and boosting our oft-neglected armed forces.

Farage could do much worse than beginning to rebuild ties with the Commonwealth, not least the CANZUK countries of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, as well as other Realms with which we share a king, such as Jamaica.

Reform’s flagship immigration plans tie well into foreign policy, as can be seen in recent statements over Iran. Meanwhile renewed Commonwealth ties could have both an economic and a defence focus.

We share a commander-in-chief with Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and worked as one unified Commonwealth military in the post-war occupation of Japan as well as during the conflict in Korea.

Intelligence tie-ups with these countries can build upon the existing Five Eyes deal with the CANZUK four plus America. Let’s also not forget trade: how bountiful are opportunities in Australia and Canada versus Belgium and the Netherlands?

Rather than looking back to a moribund and sclerotic EU (note the lily-livered response to the Iran war), Reform can build something great with our Commonwealth brethren, including giants like India, as well as plucky Singapore.

Indeed, renewed Commonwealth ties would help stem the tide of mass immigration since most immigrants to Britain still come from Commonwealth countries. Working closer with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka means we have better cooperation on migrant control and returns.

Post-Brexit Britain deserves more than this inept Labour government with its backwards-looking foreign policy. Reform of course must fix the border, crime and economy, but that goes hand-in-hand with new global outreach. As opinion polls continue to put Reform in the lead, roll on the May elections and beyond.