Now that the Brexit process is guaranteed to stretch on for many more months, if not years, there is a limit — which may be close to being reached — on how much new there is to say. I shall bear that very much in mind in my future choice of topics. We may be neither properly in, nor out, for a very long time, and most probably beyond October 31, the latest departure date.

Business is relieved that a no-deal Brexit has been avoided, and will continue to be avoided, but it is alarmed that the limbo could go on for a very long time. Make UK, which represents Britain’s manufacturers, describes as a “heavy blow” the fact that firms will have to maintain