Imagine the European elections as the Grand National, not a national embarrassment. Train your field glasses on the runners and riders. A past winner in these, the European Handicap Hurdles, has ejected its jockey over the first fence. Farewell, Theresa May. Red Labour, ridden by once-fancied Jeremy Corbyn, hasn’t left the starting gate. Race novice Change UK? Stewards hover ominously; we wish it well.

Already, this is a two-horse race. Across the UK, Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is in front. But closing hard, leading Labour and Tory rivals by a nose, is a gold outsider, the Liberal Democrats.

After Michael Heseltine endorsed the Vince Cable-trained flyer, the question arises: will other prominent figures endorse the Lib Dems to form a popular front against Brexit? As the strongest remain party, a Lib Dem triumph would be a dramatic and unequivocal rejection of Brexit.

Several rival MPs tell me privately they back the Lib Dems this time. But silent support no longer cuts it. A Farage win will embolden the next Tory leader to push for no-deal. So if now is not the time to act, then when?

Corbyn insists that for him a referendum remains an option. Which it does. Just as Jeremy Kyle could make morally uplifting programmes, or Boris Johnson could correct the lies on his bus. But no one holds their breath.

Margaret Hodge hints at a vote for the Lib Dems. Keir Starmer and other decent Labourites must confront Corbyn and tell him: “Stop the dither. Campaign for a referendum.” Otherwise, Remainers should resign and work with MPs such as myself, Vince and Chuka Umunna to defeat Brexit.

The mere threat of a walkout might concentrate Corbyn’s mind. It is claimed that his only concern is reaching No 10; well, he won’t be turning the rose garden into any allotment if more MPs desert. And if he still won’t change, the comrades in grey boiler suits should declare “In the name of God, go.” It is such a moment.

My sense is that some MPs are so terrified of Brexit damage that they are questioning decades of party allegiance to come out for the Lib Dems (which is ahead of Labour in a poll in Remain bastion London).

Just as Labour MPs agonise, so too surviving Conservative Remainers. Can they really stay in a hard-Brexit, quasi-racist party under Boris Johnson? Or will they join a national movement not only against Brexit but for a Britain with a powerful economy and decent services inside the EU?

These elections are the start. But a rebirth of decency requires supporting the Lib Dems now. For this election only I urge rival MPs who won’t have this country torn apart by hatred to form a popular front by endorsing the Lib Dems.

Because if Farage makes it to the winners’ enclosure, we’ve all lost.