Late in the day Theresa May has done what she should have done ages ago and announced her resignation. Now she needs to rout the unruly elements in her own party by commanding the only majority available to her in the House of Commons. The most important scene in Wednesday night’s drama was not the confidence vote itself but what Mrs May conceded in order to win it. The freedom of resignation, the fact she will never again face the electorate, is a beautiful liberation if only she can seize it.

Of course, the prime minister has first resumed her dogged mission to Brussels in pursuit of her deal. She is unlikely to secure the legally binding assurances on the Irish backstop, without