Less than three years ago Liz Truss, not yet British prime minister, could not decide whether Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, was a “friend or foe”. Her predecessor, Boris Johnson, mocked French diplomatic protest at AUKUS, a submarine deal that cut out France, with a flippant “Donnez-moi un break!” Today Britain and France have put such theatrical rivalry behind them. As Sir Keir Starmer, the current prime minister, and Mr Macron jointly take the lead on Europe’s effort to salvage support for Ukraine, the Franco-British tie seems more solid than it has for many years.