One of the best-selling books this summer for political hacks is called Leadership in Turbulent Times by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, acclaimed author of the superb Lincoln biography Team of Rivals. The most gripping extracts are the story of Franklin Roosevelt’s first 100 days as US President in 1932-33, as he grappled with the existential calamity of the Depression following the Wall Street Crash. Roosevelt’s strategy could have been Boris’ template in delivering Brexit at the end of October very much against the odds:

"Draw an immediate sharp line of demarcation between what has gone before and what is about to begin. Restore confidence to the spirit and morale of the people. Infuse a sense of shared purpose and direction. Forge a team aligned with action and change. Set a deadline and drive full bore to meet it. Tell the story simply and directly to people. Address systemic problems. Launch lasting reforms. Adapt. Be ready to change course quickly when necessary."

It all sounds familiar, even though it was almost ninety years ago but Roosevelt is now remembered as one of the greatest of American icons. The point is, however tight the corner you’re in, in politics, with a plan you’re halfway to success.

Meanwhile, the clear message to the EU is that the days of grovelling supplication and begging for scraps from Brussels’ tables are over. Former Chief of Staff to Jean-Claude Juncker Martin Selmayr maintained that the EU had two strategic objectives in relation to the UK during and after Brexit: One – which with the help of Theresa May has unquestionably been achieved – and that is to make EU exit as difficult and messy for any departing country as possible pour encourager les autres.