The impression he was getting from EU leaders was that they will not engage until the prospect of parliament cancelling the referendum was ended.

MPs are effectively considering tomorrow whether to hand control of the negotiations to Jeremy Corbyn. That would be shooting ourselves in the foot and, if Conservative MPs help him to make no deal illegal tomorrow and therefore create another pointless delay, the government’s negotiating position will be wrecked.

What they are effectively voting for is to hold a rapid election. And they will have to explain what they are doing.