There is much talk that a “Norway plus” arrangement would be best for the UK, perhaps even as a transitional arrangement, that allowed us to trade while taking advantage of provisions in the European Economic Area (EEA) treaty that allow migrant curbs at times of great pressure.

No doubt it would good for Britain, but the difficulty – as the next British prime minister is about to find out – is that there is scant reason why Europe would so imperil its own internal cohesion by offering the UK a deal that encourages others to leave.

As they demonstrated in February, the other EU states will risk an awful lot to prevent that domino from falling – up to, and including, a Brexit.

So as Angela Merkel’s chief of staff made clear this week, a willingness to give the UK time to elect a new PM and arrive at a negotiating position, should not be confused with a willingness to avoid Brexit or keep Britain in at all costs. Surely that was a lesson that was learned in February.