FINALLY A BREXIT BREAKTHROUGH

SORRY about this. Brexit again. But reports are coming in that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is softening his attitude towards this country and might even contemplate a concession or two. A crocodile with a heart of gold? Er… no.

Barnier has his own bosses and the two most powerful are Merkel of Germany and Macron of France. They rule the roost and most of the other 25 follow because the Big Two control the subsidy handouts. But each has serious and growing problems at home.

Merkel is facing autumn elections – provincial – but the auguries are that her official opposition (she governs with a fragile coalition) the Alternative for Germany party might surge again.

It is anti-EU. More to the point, awareness is spreading across the Channel that they too will suffer massive damage unless there is a trade agreement.

Macron is the same. The polls (all we have between elections) show his popularity has plunged and the awareness of the economic damage France would also suffer if the EU’s so-far hardline opposition to moderation in Brussels leads to a no-deal Brexit, is rising.

Over here Mrs May’s Chequers-sourced scuttle is dead as a dodo. Our sense of self-worth is stiffening and it looks as if we could go for a Canada-plus formula, giving us back our sovereignty (adieu to EU rules) while leaving trade almost untouched. Dominic Raab is the man to watch.