If it is to make up for three years of stagnant Mayism, then Brexit must move beyond its name

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has chosen Canada as the first leg in his trip to North America this week. This is no coincidence. It shows to the world that Brexit is not just about the political union we are leaving, it is just as much, if not more, about opportunities for the future.

Few prime ministers can resist the lure of a bland, centralising mission. For David Cameron, this was the “Big Society”, for Theresa May, tackling the “Burning injustices”. In practice, such policies usually involve trying to make the electorate act in a certain way, rather than empowering them to behave as they wish. Very rarely do they achieve buy-in from the people who actually matter — yes readers, that means you.

If it is to succeed in the long-term, and make up for three years of stagnant Mayism, then Brexit must move beyond its name. Raab has a chance now to deliver that for Britain - and he's well-placed to do it, because Canada is the home of the CANZUK movement.

CANZUK means delivering comprehensive trade deals with Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, removing tariffs and regulatory hurdles, and generally making it as easy as possible for us to live, work and open businesses in each other’s countries. This is not just smart, tangible policy-making, it would also help the new government politically. To capture more than half of the Parliament at any election, and to disprove those who believe Brexit means closing off opportunities, Team Boris must deliver an optimistic, forward-looking message.

In the coming realignment of politics, the traditional arms of Left and Right risk becoming more polarised than ever. The real challenge will be finding specific policies to unite these increasingly divergent groups. Yet CANZUK is a policy that can appeal to everyone; it fits within the sense of Britain finding herself again and expanding personal rights, it is growth-enhancing, outward-looking and relatively quick and easy to deliver.

Crucially, it is breathtakingly popular. In the UK, 68 per cent of voters support free movement between the UK and Australia, New Zealand and Canada. This isn’t a Leave-Remain issue, it captures both sides of the political divide. In Canada too this liberalising approach transcends Left and Right, garnering support in every single province and age group. In fact, citizens of CANZUK countries have repeatedly told the pollsters that they’re most comfortable removing barriers to trade and migration with each other than any other states.

Our bonds may be steeped in history but the appeal is modern and broad. Britons of nearly all backgrounds, colours and creeds have links across the world in our sister countries. If you’re from a minority background in the UK, you’re more likely to have a relative in a CANZUK state than anywhere else in Europe.

There is something more though. As America puts itself first, as Europe turns inward, as China becomes belligerent and global trade flows come under threat, CANZUK offers another way, a vision of Britain as the world’s broker — facilitating trade at any time of the day, in the world’s language, under common law. A rule maker for contracts, banking, consulting, marketing and ports.

With a strong majority in each of the four countries in favour of free migration there’s buy-in from all of us, our modern economies can make it work, and we have a political reason to do it. Beyond Brexit is the next stage for Boris, and CANZUK is the idea he needs at exactly the right time.