Last week, I resigned as Brexit Secretary because I could not in good conscience support the proposed deal between the UK and the EU. There is still time to stand up to the bullying tactics from Brussels. But we must change course, or the flame of optimism and opportunity that sparked Brexit will be snuffed out.

When I accepted the post in July, I knew we would need to compromise, as we strived to marry principle with pragmatism. I wanted to help deliver a good deal with our EU partners, while grasping the opportunities of Brexit – to take back control of our money, laws and borders, and champion free trade abroad.

We got close to an agreement I could support. But three late concessions – which I opposed – rendered the deal fatally flawed.

First, the so-called backstop. The UK and EU agreed to this, in case the Future Relationship Agreement is not in place by December 2020, in order to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our shared commitment was also to avoid any new regulatory barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Yet the EU is insisting on imposing its regulation on Northern Ireland, without the people of Northern Ireland having any say over those rules. Those regulations will be enforced by EU bodies, including the European Court.