Rather than the traditional red carpet welcome, the Prime Minister had to re-emerge with the Chancellor shortly afterwards to pose for the cameras.
No way forward is without risk at this stage. But the least hazardous course is for the Party to step out soon with a new leader.
Now more than ever, it’s Brussels and not the Government which is in the driving seat – and we don’t know which way it will turn.
Hers or Letwins? That’s what the choice is narrowing down to. From the point of view of trust in politics, how MPs vote will now make little difference – if any.
The divisions and impatience exposed could well be real, but it doesn’t follow that Brussels is about to suddenly shift its policy.
The abuse became so bad that I felt the need to stop giving media interviews, writing articles and to remove myself from the public arena.
Cynics suggest his leadership rivals stoked up this ‘crisis’ – if so, they (and outraged Labour MPs) might find their approach is backfiring.
EU federalism will be stronger in Britain, as rules are simply imposed on you. And stronger in the rest of Europe – because you’re leaving us.
It’s the Bored of Brexits versus People against May, as she seeks to snoreathon her way to victory – by persuading MPs that voters have simply had enough.
What would the lesser men who would bring her down have done: put migrants on sealed trains in their tens of thousands and send them – where, exactly?
The key to a good Brexit is empowering UK entrepreneurs to talk to their European counterparts and become ambassadors for Downing Street’s plan.
Meanwhile, my ECR colleagues and I continue to push for a sensible, nation-led approach to tackling the migration crisis.
It really is something when a significant part of the EU leadership joins the list of agnostics. No wonder there is nervousness in Dublin.