Victory for the ‘leave’ campaign will make previous Tory splits ‘look like a tea party’

When David Cameron opened cabinet on Tuesday with the words: “So we’re going to talk about Europe, in or out, and how we restore parliament,” there were sharp intakes of breath from his ministers.

In the three weeks since the cabinet last met, the referendum campaign had descended into mutual acrimony, and none present could believe that the prime minister wanted to pick at the scab.

With a smile Cameron explained: “Of course I mean the Euro 2016 football and the report into how we restore the buildings in parliament.”

One cabinet minister revealed: “There was slightly nervous laughter, because it was an awkward situation. It shows he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.”

For all Cameron’s levity, a growing number of ministers around the