This was supposed to be an election about Brexit on which Theresa May believed she was on strong ground; instead it became an election about austerity, spending cuts and the state of public services. Mrs May is now uniquely exposed to Tory backbench revolts, not just on Brexit but on domestic policy.

Her failed quest for a big majority was ostensibly to give her wriggle room with her backbenches – not only when dealing with contentious Brexit negotiations but also with domestic legislation in education, care, the NHS and public spending. This is all now history.