Brexit: Two years on, are we any closer to actually leaving?

Sam Lowe, research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, agrees - claiming there is “no coherent vision” of what the UK sees as its future relationship with the EU, exacerbated by the factional divisions in Cabinet.

Global Britain is “not a very good economic strategy”, because it relies on a nostalgic memory of the legacies afforded to a former empire, Lowe says. “But the world has moved on. We are going to be a medium-sized player, stuck between the EU and the US... we will never be the ones who set the terms of debate. For some, that will come as a surprise.”

He believes some of May’s red lines are “turning pink” which he thinks could tip towards a partial Single Market membership for goods, and believes the government would like parliament to “force its hand” into staying in the customs union “because then Theresa May wouldn’t have to make a decision and be seen to betray someone”.

He rejects the idea that there has been a breakthrough on the Brexiters’ preferred 'max fac' solution to the customs union impasse, and sees little chance of a solution to the Irish border backstop given the DUP’s rejection of Michel Barnier’s argument that Northern Ireland be hived off, and the fact the UK’s position would lead to “a closer relationship if the two sides walked away from negotiations than either wants”.