Once again I point out that the referendum said nothing about anything other than leaving the European Union. That is the only thing on which the public can be seen as having instructed parliament.

Issues such as whether we should stay in the single market or whether there should be any change to existing free movement were not addressed in the referendum, and parliament has been given no instructions by the referendum.

There is no kind of moral imperative on MPs to comply with the wishes of the government in regard to such issues, or see them as required by a proper respect of the popular vote. It is false to claim that "the British public has spoken" on such issues.Or even "the English people".

What determines events are political considerations, and worries by MPs about career prospects.