No one expects politicians holding very different viewpoints to agree on much.
But the language of diplomacy evolved down the ages so politicians could speak calmly, politely and rationally to one another in order to explore mutually beneficial ways of co-operating.
Many say we have lost that – and are poorer for it. David Lammy proves this point. The Foreign Secretary will try to persuade Donald Trump not to hike tariffs on British exports to the US. Hurting your closest allies, he says, is self-defeating.
He’s right, of course. But his point would carry more force if, as a backbencher in 2018, he hadn’t called Mr Trump – then still President – a ‘neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath’ and a ‘tyrant in a toupee’.
What’s even more extraordinary is Mr Lammy’s lack of foresight. It was entirely conceivable Labour would some day win power and have to deal with Mr Trump.
Beyond virtue-signalling to activists, what gain was there from insulting the leader of the world’s most powerful democracy?
He’d better hope Mr Trump’s elephantine memory fails him before trade talks begin.
Legitimate arguments exist for allowing the mercy killing of those dying of terminal illnesses in extreme pain and distress.
But there’s a distinct sense that Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s bill to legalise state-sponsored suicide is being rushed through the Commons without proper scrutiny.
Last month, the Mail cautioned: ‘This subject is too important for knee-jerk politics.’ We are pleased influential figures have listened to our warning.
A growing number of MPs from across the political divide are seeking to apply the brakes to this controversial legislation.
A vote is scheduled for November 29, but politicians are concerned this leaves insufficient time to consider and debate such a complex and difficult issue.
There are valid fears that the remit and reach of assisted dying could endlessly expand, while the elderly and vulnerable might be coerced by unscrupulous relatives into ending their own lives.
The pro-euthanasia lobby has the loudest, most prominent voices, but that cannot determine who wins the argument. Only calm, sober discussion can resolve this thorniest of questions.
For assisted suicide is like Pandora’s Box. Once opened it will be impossible to shut.
The Government’s denial that it has launched an all-out assault on Britain’s family farmers wears thinner by the day.
Sir Keir says the ‘vast majority’ will not be affected by the scrapping of exemptions which allow farms to pass down the generations free of inheritance tax.
But is he telling the truth? Analysis suggests the typical bequeathed farm would incur a tax bill far larger than the profits it could make from working the fields.
Do ministers not realise that some will have to sell all, or part of, their land to pay it? Others will simply go bankrupt.
Labour accepts family farms are vital for feeding the nation. In a volatile world, it would be madness to make us more dependent on food imports.
Sir Keir insists that this tax grab is not a class-war attack on those who own land.
In that case, he should be making it easier, not harder, for farming families to do what they are supposed to be doing – growing crops and raising livestock.