Brussels was the easy bit relative to what awaits the prime minister in Westminster. She saw off attempts by the Spanish government to “veto Brexit”. There was talk of her having made concessions to them but the truth is that Spain couldn’t actually veto the withdrawal agreement, which was signed off unanimously yesterday by the European Council – and it doesn’t enjoy the support on Gibraltar which the Republic of Ireland enjoys on the vexed issue of the Irish border.

The House of Commons is another matter: we do have a legal veto on the withdrawal agreement. As things stand, the PM has nowhere near the numbers to get it through, and MPs will block it.

After May’s statement to the House last week, an email with a letter from the PM popped into by inbox. In it she declared that the “political declaration delivers on the referendum by taking back control of our money, borders and laws while protecting jobs, security and the integrity of the United Kingdom”. Some business leaders have bought this line and are arguing that, for the sake of certainty, the Commons should agree to this botch job simply for the sake of getting an agreement and avoiding “no deal”.

I spoke to a representative of a major business organisation in the manufacturing sector who privately parroted this mantra from No 10 to me. Sensibly, this particular group has not parroted this line publicly because the political declaration is just that – a declaration of aspiration and no more. It is not a legally binding part of the withdrawal agreement and therefore delivers very little indeed.

Even the PM conceded in her letter to me and other MPs that it is far from a legally binding document. She wrote that it will “provide instructions to negotiators which will deliver a legal agreement to be implemented by the end of 2020 covering an economic partnership, a security partnership, and specific agreements on cross-cutting cooperation”. Whether it is “delivered” and done and dusted by 2020 is pure speculation on her part.

When I asked her in the Commons whether she could guarantee such a legal agreement would be implemented by the end of 2020, she couldn’t – for obvious reasons. It is highly unlikely she will still be prime minister in 2020; the political composition of the EU Council of leaders will have changed; the personalities on the other side of the table will almost certainly be different; and there will be a new European parliament in place.

In any event, senior EU Commission and EU Council officials I have met with have told MPs that a free-trade deal will take at least three years to finalise – so the earliest we can expect to see a legal agreement on the future relationship will be mid-2022. No wonder Nicole Sykes, the CBI’s head of EU negotiations, argued there was “no need to give credit to negotiators” because what is currently being put before the Commons is “not a good deal”.

The inescapable fact is that, as an EU member, the current deal we have is far better than the alternative being offered by the PM. The former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, who helped to negotiate it, has even acknowledged this, and a fully independent economic analysis published today suggests May’s agreement with the EU could hit the UK economy by £100bn a year by 2030. That is why so many in business have joined demands for a People’s Vote with remain on the ballot.

So, in light of all of this, how on earth does Theresa May expect to secure the consent of MPs to her agreement? Through the extraordinary spectacle of a Conservative prime minister precipitating an economic crisis to force through what she wants.

George Osborne’s former chief economic adviser, Rupert Harrison, describes the approach as the “Tarp model”. Tarp (Troubled Asset Relief Progamme) was the term used to refer to the US plan to bail out the banks in 2008 in the midst of the global financial crash. Initially, Congress rejected the plan, causing the markets to tank and financial chaos to ensue. So President Bush brought it back to Congress and it passed on the second attempt three days later.

A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A People’s Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleâ€™s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at London’s march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final say Brexit march - final say on our furture London, 20 October 2018 Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say march for the future London, 20 October 2018 Credit: Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleâ€™s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA

The Bush strategy could be employed by May, in terms of Brexit, like so: the latest we are hearing is that the Commons vote on the withdrawal agreement is due on Wednesday 12 December. If it fails to get through, although the markets here have priced in some political turbulence, there is likely to be an immediate economic shock with sterling and UK equity markets plummeting.

Many businesses are simply unprepared for a no-deal Brexit and will therefore panic, cancelling orders and so on, as they worry it is about to become a reality. If she is still in place after such an event, the PM can go back to the EU Council, which is due to meet again on 13 and 14 December, to seek further concessions. Then she can put a revised withdrawal agreement to parliament in another vote before we rise for the Christmas recess on Thursday 20 December, or just after we return in early January.

Notwithstanding the fact there is no majority in the Commons for no deal, and there are ways to avoid this, May’s gamble will be that MPs will similarly panic in the midst of crisis and vote through her agreement on the second attempt. Et voila – the Tarp strategy achieved.

It would be the height of irresponsibility for a prime minister to knowingly precipitate an economic crisis like this in attempt to impose the executive’s will on the legislature, but that is precisely what appears to be her plan. It’s important to note that if she does this she will shred whatever is left of any claim the Conservatives may have to economic competence.

On Black Wednesday on 16 September 1992, a falling pound and sterling’s exit from the exchange rate mechanism wrecked the Tories’ economic credentials – that will be nothing compared to the damage done to whatever economic credentials the Tories have left if a Tory PM, following the Tarp model, deliberately precipitated an economic crisis now. It would destroy the Conservative Party for at least a generation, and deservedly so.

Some Labour folk might welcome this, but the fallout for our constituents would be appalling, and the impact on jobs and businesses would be very much against the national interest. May could choose a different course – which she has conceded is an option – and let the people decide with a vote on the final deal. For the good of the country, I hope she does.

When does a lot of money become too much?

We watched All the Money in the World over the weekend, a fantastic film that came out at the start of this year about the kidnapping of the 16-year-old grandson of John Paul Getty in 1973. Getty, an oil tycoon, was at the time the richest man in the world.

The film was directed by Ridley Scott, with Christopher Plummer in the lead role (having been drafted in at short notice to replace Kevin Spacey, who became mired in scandal during filming). Michelle Williams plays the mother who desperately tries to persuade Getty to pay the kidnappers’ ransom demand of $17m.

I won’t spoil the film by giving away all the details but if you Google the Getty family and read the history of what happened, not only to Getty’s grandson but his other heirs and dependents, you’re drawn to a sad conclusion. Clearly extreme wealth can buy you a life which is free of the stresses many of us experience, but it certainly cannot buy you happiness – and, in the case of the Getty family, it seems it brought a whole heap of misery.

In Getty’s case – as seems to be the case with so many plutocrats – you can never have enough, and therefore you are never content or satisfied.