At times like this I turn to history for enlightenment. Back in the year 193, there were five Roman emperors. The result was chaos for Rome. And things weren’t exactly hunky-dory for the emperors either. The first four lost their lives.

This year could turn out to be similarly chaotic – although hopefully it will only be political careers that are lost.

It is ironic that the Brexit negotiations start on June 19, the same day as the Queen’s Speech in Parliament. If the Government’s programme is not passed, then there would surely have to be a change of prime minister, and possibly another general election.

Since the political future is so uncertain, large parts of our economic future are uncertain too, including what sort of Brexit we will secure and, indeed, whether Brexit will happen at all. Such uncertainty is debilitating for the economy. Nevertheless, there are some reassuring precedents.