In a nutshell, members’ top priority isn’t cutting immigration from the EU, let alone stopping payments to it: instead, it’s restoring self-government – and fast.
Plus: The coming local elections. My predictions – Liberal Democrats up, Conservatives up, UKIP down, Labour down – and maybe Corbyn out later this year.
Britain has a tradition of democracy, and Britons shunning elections are not, typically, making a stance against that.
It is incumbent on all of us who have participated in the EU debate, on both sides, to confess to some sins and omissions.
A consequence of Brexit is a danger that the UK ends up having less influence on EU member states over such responses – or sanctions against Russia.
If the Government thinks that we cannot have our Brexit cake and eat it, Ministers must be careful not to let expectations get out of hand.
Cameron’s decision to leave the federalist, centre-right bloc was bewailed by Remainers. How do they feel about its call for a continent-wide ban on veils?
Single Market access? Immigration controls? Budget contributions? Escaping the ECJ? The status of EU nationals?
Yes, Livingstone named him 12 times when interviewed by me this week. Plus: Saudi Arabia uncovered, Michael Howard unmuzzled. And: In memory of Helen Szamuely.
Is it interested in reforming to tackle its long-term problem? Will it let deals be held to ransom by Spain and Wallonia? Will it finally start taking security seriously? The next few years will tell us.
The EU’s draft document suggests broad agreement on most of what we want. And the three bones of contention are surmountable.
And give it MPs at Westminster.
Every day in the UK we get together to wonder why Britain abandoned the idea of fairness.