It has been said a lot by Brexiteers that we have to agree another deal under legislation to change that. It is not true, of course. We do have to have legislation, but that does not have to be a deal.

Here is an idea I have been mulling over 'the DMcG backstop.' We agree in legislation to ask the EU for an extension to allow us to run a referendum in 12 months time unless we agree a deal in the interim. Any deal we bring to to EU will already have been approved for that purpose by Parliament. If we fail to agree such a deal either within Parliament or with the EU the referendum happens. Otherwise it is does not.