Theresa May’s position on Brexit is becoming increasingly clear even if it hasn’t been made public yet

The waiting is over. Theresa May has finally chosen a side on Brexit, nearly two years after the referendum. It has not — yet — been set out explicitly. Indeed Mrs May’s language at this week’s prime minister’s questions stressed compromise and balance on the subject. However her choice is increasingly clear.

Mrs May is signalling that she will prioritise protecting the union of the United Kingdom over the need for a full future unfettered free trade policy wherever necessary. Her Brexit will do nothing to imperil the already-fragile constitutional settlement in Northern Ireland. She is gambling that a majority in her party — the Conservative and Unionist Party — will make the same judgment.

The difficult question for ministers is this: when,