Theresa May and the former Sinn Féin leader have more in common than we knew. Maybe they could cook up a post-political career together

Theresa May has revealed that she likes to relax from “the world’s most stressful job” by working up a recipe from one of her 150 cookbooks. Now she has a chance to broaden her repertoire while attempting to solve that tricky Irish border question at the same time. This week Gerry Adams made the truly gobsmacking announcement that he is publishing a cookbook for Christmas. The Negotiators’ Cook Book promises the recipes that sustained Sinn Féin leaders through the long hungry stalemate that led up to the Good Friday agreement. Cookbook no 151, prime minister?

So, can culinary diplomacy make the breakthrough over the Irish border that Mrs May seeks? It is worth a try. If it works, then a post-political career, which she may need soon, beckons. It is unlikely that an Irish republican like Mr Adams would take part in the Great British Bake Off. But a television pairing between the two former leaders – call it Terry and Gerry’s Country Supper Show – could offer the spiciest TV chef double act since the days of Fanny and Johnnie Cradock.

• This article was amended on 8 August because the original spelled Cradock as Craddock.