One of the most striking outcomes of the EU referendum was that it represented a rejection of David Cameron’s case for staying by his own supporters.

An analysis of the result shows that only the Conservatives, by 58 to 42 per cent, voted against the recommendation of the leadership of the party they had backed at last year’s general election.

This presents the Tories with a quandary as they prepare to elect a new leader to replace Mr Cameron: should it be someone who supported Leave, since that was the majority view in the country as well as in the party, or a Remainer? Should it be, in other words, Andrea Leadsom or Theresa May?

There is a great danger that the Conservatives will continue to define themselves by their position on Europe, as they have done to a greater or lesser extent for some 40 years.

The referendum was designed to end that rift once and for all; and it can succeed in doing so provided the right decisions are now taken by the right person.