Has anything changed over the holiday? Yes: 29 March is two weeks nearer. Like the imminence of death, it concentrates the mind.

Parliament now moves into that darkly hallowed chamber known as the short term, its walls moving ever inwards. A few things are clearer. One is that Theresa May has the best deal on offer. Another is that only a sizeable handful of Tory last-ditchers and industrial anarchists believes a no-deal Brexit is in the nation’s interest. Yes, it may have been overlaid with hysteria, understandably in the case of farmers. But it does not add up.

There is said to be a majority of MPs against no deal, but that means nothing without a positive alternative. There is none. There is only May’s deal, and no responsible observer can accuse her of not seeking a better option. She has found none. The Brexiters’ argument that Britain held all the cards was rubbish.

Endlessly abusing May’s deal does not conjure an alternative from thin air – as Jeremy Corbyn seems to think. It is, after all, a can-kicking deal. The customs union or WTO rules remain for debate in the transitional period, as does the Northern Irish border. But in the time available, it is May’s deal or border anarchy.

Analysis now turns to the consciences of individual MPs, and they are not a happy spectacle, a gluey morass of constituency fear, confirmation bias, strident lobbying and personal ambition. In the past few weeks, some serious MPs have broken cover with a plan to wreck no deal by tabling amendments to finance bills. Another group, 200-strong, has signed a letter pleading against no deal. Such worthy activity is pointless without an alternative. Meanwhile the Labour party is in a torment over a second referendum, for which there is no time, or serious argument. None of this activity addresses the short term as it grows ever shorter.

If May fails in her vote next week, there will be frantic examination of article 50 revocation. But that would not pass parliament without another referendum, which is not going to happen. Marginally more plausible is stopping the clock, which requires the EU to agree (which it probably would), but which would solve nothing. Even a snap general election would solve nothing, though it might clear the air for sanity.

Next week’s vote on May’s deal still looks hopeless, but that is because so many MPs will defy their whips. May could offer an amendment promising final talks, which might give sceptical MPs a way in. But this is a classic case where parliament should rise above party. May should agree with Corbyn to have next week’s vote a free one, and to let conscience divide the house. Parliament is the national interest in conclave. MPs at this time should decide individually, not tribally. The Brexit debate is by no means over, but it must move on to a new chapter. Only MPs can let it.

• Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist