One can only imagine the atmosphere in Downing Street as loyal advisers gazed intently at the screen, witnessing the scene as their boss got into a guddle. They turn anxiously to each other. “Did he really just say that? Did he say that Northern Ireland and Scotland were in exactly the same situation? About a referendum? Tell me he didn’t say that!” Cue a rescue mission. The PM, we were told, had been “repeatedly clear” on the subject. Indyref2? No dice.

Still concerned, Downing Street went further. They issued a rebuttal to John Swinney. Scotland and NI, it seems, have “different historical experiences and therefore distinct constitutional arrangements.” The PM was “simply highlighting” such points. Anyone convinced? Thought you might say that. Look, this was plainly a slip by our new Prime Minister. A muddle. He mis-spoke. He got it wrong.

In practice, it makes little difference to UK Government policy. They are not contemplating a referendum on independence in Scotland. Nor are they planning a border poll in Northern Ireland. Still, the incident is instructive. A leader who was thoroughly versed in constitutional policy nuance would have avoided such a gaffe. A leader who was thoroughly immersed in the recent history of the islands he governs would have sidestepped such a slip.

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He would have known, instinctively, that subtle politics requires a clear distinction to be made........

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