As a former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I am uneasy about the bail-out of Flybe. Every time a private business is bailed out by the taxpayer, the pressure grows.
There may be greater willingness by Brussels to negotiate following populist successes in the European elections.
I see the former WTO director and Delors chef de Cabinet return to the unresolved debate about high or low alignment.
Not only are Leavers and Remainers drifting further apart, but the various Remain factions are now engaged in a furious blame game.
The Grantham and Stamford MP leaves the Conservative benches, to a cry of “Nick, don’t go” from one of his colleagues.
Otherwise known as Norway Plus, those backing the move included Bim Afolami, James Cartlidge and George Eustice.
That’s variously for a customs union; for a custom arrangement plus the Single Market; for a second referendum, and for staying in the EU.
Those who voted in favour included Boles, Collins and Morgan. Those against, Atkins, Buckland and Green.
Our party owns this crisis. If we honour the referendum we can shape the next decade. If we don’t then chaos – and Corbyn – await.
That’s to say, those of 1950, 1961, 1967 and 1971. Sovereignty was always the key concern, despite arguments over its meaning.
There is no Commons majority for no deal, for a Canada deal mark two, or at the moment for a second referendum. But there is a majority for EFTA/EEA.
The UK plus EFTA would have a greater GDP than Germany. As one, we would be the largest economy in Europe.
Any Cabinet member who throws their toys out of the pram at Chequers will receive a cold shoulder in the tearoom.
The referendum transferred from MPs themselves the decision as to whether to remain in or leave the EU and – with it, to regain our freedom to make our own laws.
Not being able to blame Brussels for our problems nor look to the EU for solutions will be immensely reinvigorating.