AND so it continues. The endless complexities involved in dragging the UK out of Europe mean that Theresa May’s longed-for breakthrough will probably not materialise in time for a special EC Brexit summit at the end of the month. The road-block over the Irish border backstop has proved too fiendish an impasse. Pro-Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt’s warning that May will fail to have any deal nodded through by the Cabinet unless it is “going to deliver on the referendum result” merely heaps further pressure on May.

Are we getting closer to No Deal, and all of the huge challenges that will pose for May or, conceivably, a new Prime Minister?

No wonder that business is losing patience. Terry Sargeant, who heads the British operation of the huge German concern, ThyssenKrupp, speaks of a “complete shambles” and accuses the Conservatives of making decisions not for business but “to prevent an implosion in their own party.”

At which point, enter Gordon Brown. His call for a second referendum means that three living former Prime Ministers now feel this way, the others being John Major and Tony Blair. No David Cameron as yet, note. Brown also believes that if Britain has to leave the EU, there is a strong chance of it returning to the fold.

Brown suggested a people’s royal commission to devise an alternative Brexit plan. He voiced fears that many have already expressed, that the bruising Brexit experience has resulted in a divided country. In place of the usual royal commission, which could drag on for years, he proposed a commission of the people, “designed to enable, encourage engage and empower voices and concerns over the way ahead.” It would be a “national conversation” that could help re-unite us.

His plan may never see the light of day, but he has performed a useful service in calling for urgent action to halt a descent into further toxic rancour. We would do well to heed his words.