A few weeks ago the head of the DUP sent a letter for the attention of Pence. It set out the case that Northern Ireland has a fragile economy and suggested US Department of Commerce tactics could jeopardize the Peace Process. Explaining that to Trumps running mate is like explaining cows small & far away to Father Dougal, but this could be an opportunity for Mrs May to deflect criticism of the £1.5 billion cash for votes scandal and pre-allocate a small fraction of that payment by announcing her intention to place an order for CS-100’s to replace the 146's on 32Sqn. It would be revealing if the DUP did not give such a generous proposal their unconditional support.