It would also be dishonest to claim that the thought of voting Liberal Democrat did not flicker momentarily as we’ve veered towards knuckle-head, pound-shop Orbanism.
While trade deals have taken on an important political and symbolic value, their benefits are typically smaller and slower to materialise than many realise.
Plus: Leadsom is a mensch. The Euro-elections may be a Conservative wipeout. And: my interview with Blair.
Not only are Leavers and Remainers drifting further apart, but the various Remain factions are now engaged in a furious blame game.
The supporters of the softer Brexit and pro-Remain options have helped to do each other in. And Boles has walked out on the Conservative Party (it seems).
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.
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.
It would increase our power to control freedom of movement, plus our laws and finances – and deliver on the referendum result.
This week has seen Parliament grab control, and this has serious implications for the practices of responsible government.
Longer extension, Customs Union, ‘Common Market 2.0’ and so on all have severe downsides.
It would be dangerous for UK business and would leave both Leavers and Remainers dissatisfied. It would leave Britain subject to free movement.
She yesterday achieved the outcome most likely to prop her up – at least for the time being. But Cooper, Letwin and Bercow are waiting in the wings.
Or as close to it as a site well-disposed to both can get in this fallen world. This is the story of a marriage gone horribly wrong.