In some senses Boris Johnson’s pugilistic Commons performance last night will be seen by his advisers in Downing Street as a success.

The provocative and emotive language he used was deliberately designed to get headlines and the outrage of his opponents will serve to amplify the story still further.

Much of what goes on in Westminster rarely cuts through to most voters, but what happened last night will.

Mr Johnson’s aides will be calculating that for every Remainer who is outraged by his behaviour there will be a Leaver who will see him as their only hope of actually delivering the Brexit they voted for.

Many of these voters are in traditionally working-class seats the Tories need to win from Labour if they are