Trying to find a glimmer of light through the fog that is Brexit, here is a slightly more optimistic scenario than the situation currently deserves: by 29 March, probably at about 11.55pm, the UK and the EU member states will conclude an agreement, choosing the least, or one of the least, damaging of all the options available.

The hard nut Brexiteers will cry betrayal, the diehard Remainers will say the deal still leaves the UK worse off than being in the EU, but a deal nonetheless is done.