T he announcement by boss Elon Musk that Tesla will build its gigabyte electric-battery plant (and prospective car factory) in Germany rather than Britain is the strongest evidence yet that what was once a most promising future for the British car industry is is now, realistically over – and mostly thanks to Brexit.

For Musk himself, in his usual direct way has made plain that the UK’s planned departure from the EU is the deciding factor. With it will go many jobs that would otherwise be created, high-paid work generating tax revenues and export earnings – all the way through the supply chain. Tesla would, for example, have been a handy new customer for British Steel.