WATCHING the Cabinet after the Chequers summit declare that a deal had been agreed and a policy now existed, reminded me of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairly tale the “Emperor's New Clothes”. For those who either haven’t read it or have long since forgotten it, a vain Emperor paraded stark naked as none of his ministers or officials would declare that his new suit, provided by swindlers, wasn’t lavish and perfect in every way. Eventually, a young girl blurted out that he was wearing nothing and everyone agreed, but he processed on regardless.

Last week the Prime Minister declared a Brexit deal was resolved, which everyone knew to be a lie. Its terms are unacceptable to the EU27 and the supposed peace settled between warring factions didn’t even last beyond the weekend. But on she boldly strode, declaring that Brexit meant Brexit and a deal to leave had been achieved.

It’s not so much the end of the Brexit dream, but the end of the delusions of a restored empire that first drove it. The trade deals to follow and the world eagerly awaiting the return of Great Britain to its hereditary place in world order, shown to be fraudulent. It wasn’t the lack of a plan that was the Brexiteers criminality but the blatant lies they told.

The invention continues despite being called out by every sane commentator. Even irredentists like Jacob Rees-Mogg, fighting on for the empire dream, are seeing it disappearing over the horizon like the sunset in former colonies, as even the supposed new best friend Donald Trump publicly trashed it.

Sadly, the charade’s still being played out in the Theatre of the Absurd at Westminster. Government ministers continue to insist that the supposed Brexit mandate’s being delivered despite the fact that it patently isn’t and, more shamefully, the travesty’s joined by the official opposition.

Labour have rightly called out Theresa May for lauding her White Paper which carries as much certainty, but considerably less sincerity, than Neville Chamberlain lauding “peace for our time” on returning from Munich. Yet, they too persist in wearing their own fantasy set of European clothes. Weasel words like common partnerships spring as much from their lips as they do from the Tories, when they even deign to try and articulate a European policy. That’s no more acceptable to the EU 27 than the Tory policy and frankly its hard to see the difference between the two.

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But, the show goes on in all its nakedness despite the catastrophe beginning to play out as businesses relocate and investment switches. It’s not a little girl that’s being heard and ignored, but Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover and many others. The tragedy for Scotland – and indeed the entire UK – is that there’s so many people who, even when recognising that the policy is disastrous, continue to clap and cheer, demanding that the show go must on. Unmitigated self-harm indeed.

Where now? God knows? Anyone who claims to know the final outcome of the script is a fool or a liar. May could capitulate to the ERG group but that’s unlikely. She’ll just see them off and continue to lie. They could bring her down but replace her with who? And it would almost certainly cause an election, and in the worst of all circumstances. The fantasists want their empire back but like the reality of their sinecures even more.

A second referendum is desirable, but couldn’t even be guaranteed to be won never mind delivered, given the conspiracy of lies that exists between Labour and Tory. It’s less likely at the moment than an early election.

So, instead the naked Empress will march on, parroting vacuous nonsense and enter into discussions with the EU, where even more supposed red lines will be abandoned. The “No Deal” scenario so wanted by the hard liners is still possible but it’s more likely to be an extension of the negotiating period, as all parties seek to avoid mutually-assured destruction.

May just hanging on, proclaiming the magnificence of her attire when it’s the same EU clothes as before, with only the nomenclature changing. Memberships retitled partnerships and so on, responsibilities but without influence the reality. The EU joining in the charade to conclude a deal that satisfies them and saves her face.

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But, where then for Scotland? That’s almost as uncertain, as an early second referendum on independence is even less likely than one on Brexit. The Tories won’t allow it and after Catalonia any attempts to circumvent Westminster consent are doomed to fail. An election holds opportunities but poses risks for all, though the saving grace is that many of the despicable Tories returned by default last year will lose their seats.

Labour will hope for a Corbyn surge, although its unlikely that can be repeated, as he looks not new and fresh but old and jaded. But they’d still hope that the perennial “one more heave and get them out” argument might work. It’s possible but the recent change in Westminster strategy by the SNP group has both energised and differentiated them once again. They’ll be hoping to ward off Labour and make gains from the Tories. But a lot would depend on the circumstances and the election campaign.

What’s certain though is that Britain is visibly diminished. The supposed certainties that saw many reject independence in 2014 no longer exist. EU membership, the strength of sterling and the stability of Britain are gone, as well as some trust and faith in those who proudly proclaimed them.

Sometimes in politics all you can do is wait. And so it is in Scotland. Power was ceded in 2014 and events just have to play out. But, the independence movement needs to get ready and the SNP remain competent. The Scottish Government needs to up its game, and perhaps Cabinet changes will help. The election of Keith Brown, as deputy leader, affords opportunities for a return to grassroots campaigning which has been mostly absent.

A diminished Britain’s difficulty remains Scotland’s political opportunity – just not yet.