Inevitably, an election result that was not as good as expected, fought in a presidential fashion on a manifesto that moved the Conservative Party to the Left, has raised questions about the leader and her advisers. The fact that the result was a disappointment rather than a disaster, with the highest share of the vote since 1983 and more votes than Tony Blair in 1997, does little to soften the blow, but is nonetheless important. The case for Theresa May staying on needs to be made.

Brexit is an important part of this analysis. Negotiations are about to start, and the nation cannot afford to show weakness across the channel. Already, people who never wanted to leave the European Union are calling for a change of tune, by which they mean a reversal of the referendum. “Hard” and “soft” Brexit are code words for leaving or staying in the EU, rather than for the terms of our departure. No such denial of the people’s will can be permitted.

Indeed, the essence of our strength is in the negotiating reality that no deal really is better than a bad deal. By the end of March 2019, if nothing has been agreed, we leave with all our money, laws and border controls, and the ability to trade with the EU the way we successfully do with everyone else. This is rather an attractive position, and much preferable to being a European satrapy. Mrs May seems to be aware of the strength of this position, and that is a good reason for her to remain.