It was a vulgar aside, but one that captures the mood of comic despair that swirls around Theresa May’s government. After a torrid week in which her attorney-general, Geoffrey Cox, fought to secure concessions from Brussels, one prominent figure in Westminster declared: “If this goes wrong we’re going to stage a protest outside his office yelling, ‘Cox out.’”

If that conjures images likely to offend a vicar’s daughter, there is worse news for May. As MPs prepare to vote again on her deal, aides and cabinet ministers are openly wondering whether her premiership is nearing its end.

Officials are locked in talks this weekend to try to sweeten the pill ahead of a new “meaningful vote” on Tuesday. If May loses, she has pledged to