Last summer the people of the UK decided to leave the European Union. Parliament put that decision in their hands, granting a referendum that MPs backed by a margin of six to one. The House of Commons has also endorsed the government’s plan to trigger article 50, starting the formal process of negotiation over Britain’s exit, by March 31.

So for all the heat and controversy of the past six months, no one here or in Europe should be in any doubt: the UK is going to leave the EU.

The government led by Theresa May is determined to respect the outcome of the referendum, and negotiate an exit that works for the whole of the country. We’re ready for whatever outcome is decided by