As the cabinet met last Tuesday, ministers were still reeling from John Bercow’s decision not to allow a third meaningful vote on the government’s Brexit plan. The country was embroiled in a full-scale constitutional crisis and businesses were warning of a national emergency, but Theresa May’s main concern appeared to be holding the Conservative Party together.

I am told that the minutes of the cabinet meeting contain at least five references to the Tories’ narrow political concerns. According to the official account, written by Sir Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, ministers discussed how the government is “committed to delivering Brexit — not to do so would be damaging to the Conservative Party”. And in a clear sign of the political nature of the discussion chaired