Well, what now? After last night’s historic vote the government’s Brexit policy is in peril. But although the prime minister has been defeated, she is not politically dead. The size of the result did surprise some, even though the number of Conservatives opposing her deal was almost exactly the same as the number of Tory MPs who voted against her leadership last month.

Jeremy Corbyn’s belated decision to trigger a confidence motion could actually strengthen Theresa May. She is almost certain to win that vote, securing her government against a general election. The pressure will then be on Labour to back a second referendum. If they do, May would be able to present herself as the only national party leader committed to defending Brexit.

Yesterday’s