Over recent weeks, Wilson’s phrase has never seemed more appropriate as both sides of the parliamentary Brexit debate have tried to move to outflank each other. Each twist and turn leads to new possibilities in a power struggle with many vested interests.

Rather than try to unpick all the machinations of Westminster, it is worth coming back to two fundamental facts.

The first is that a majority of MPs want to leave the EU with a deal.

The second is that the government, with a narrow and now no majority, has not been able to command sufficient support to make a deal, of any shape, pass through the House of Commons.