David Davis, Britain’s Brexit street fighter

Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, says this was the week when it became clear that Mrs May was determined to reach a deal with the EU and was ready to compromise. Securing that goal could depend much on the relationship between Mr Davis and “Michel”, who at the age of 66 is also on the comeback trail.

“Like Barnier, Davis wants a deal,” Mr Grant says. “He’s building a relationship with Barnier and that’s to his credit. For both of them, it is one last hurrah.”