Just where is it going to end? A

want.

Sort of. Subject to approval by Tory MPs whose eyes revolve in different directions at the mere mention of “Europe.”

The 35 guilty men like Jacob Rees-Mogg who are holding the government to ransom, because it has no parliamentary majority.

In a late-night statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister caved in to her extremists, announcing “categorically” that the UK will leave the EU, the European Single Market and the Customs Union in March 2019.

But her ministers still talk blithely about having duty-free trade with the EU, a border-free Ireland and a close, “frictionless” relationship with our former partners.

This is better known as the Boris Basement Bargain: “Have your cake and eat it.”

Only deluded Brextremists could believe that the other 27 countries of Europe, plus the European Parliament and the European Commission, will fall for that proposition.

It may be what Theresa May wants, but that isn’t the same thing as an agreement.

I don’t know what she’s on, but it’s wishful drinking.

The ink was barely dry on her pronouncement before EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier dumped on it, insisting barriers to trade would be “unavoidable.”

If we simply walk away as Mrs May insists, it will cost more to sell into our largest single market.

We will have to pay tariffs to export goods and services across the Channel. There will be a border in Ireland.

What’s more, if there is to be a two-year transition period for the UK, it will be as near to actual EU membership as dammit is to swearing. “Everyone will have to play by the same rules,” said Barnier.

Senior Cabinet ministers are meeting over the next few days to finalise the nation’s hara-kiri. It doesn’t bear watching.

Nothing that European leaders have said justifies the simpleminded optimism of our government, as events will demonstrate.