Like him or loathe him, we're going to have to deal with Trump

It is hard to think of a modern democratic politician who has divided opinion like Donald Trump. 

To those of a liberal left persuasion, particularly on this side of the Atlantic, the new president is viewed as a shameless liar, a bully and a threat to democracy. But to his millions of followers he is seen as a hero, a no-nonsense man of the people, who gives a voice to those who have been ignored for too long.

Indeed, even our own Foreign Secretary seems to be somewhat torn in what to make of him. In 2017 he described him as a 'racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser', and less than two years later he denounced him as 'deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic' and 'no friend of Britain'. Now he pays tribute to a man of 'incredible grace, generosity, very keen to be a good host, very funny, very friendly, very warm about the U.K.' It's amazing how power and position can foster a change in opinions.

As is often the case, the truth is probably somewhere in between. But whatever one's opinions on the 45th and now 47th president of the United States, a bit of perspective shouldn't go amiss. The world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place, and unlike the leaders of Russia, China or Iran, Donald Trump has been democratically elected and is bound by the rule of law. We need him on our side.

This week marks a major reset in world politics, and we can either seize the opportunity to work with the new president, or leave it to others to build up alliances. 

But like Donald Trump or loathe him, he going to be president for the next four years.