There are two facets to the Brexit crisis. One is the future relationship between the UK and our European neighbours. The other is who decides.

I firmly believe that the only way to build trust in our future dealings with Europe, and to bring the country together is to put the decision back to the people. That means whatever deal the Government manages to negotiate with Europe must be put back to a public vote, with remain also being an option on the ballot paper.

Parliament has already ruled out leaving Europe with no deal because of the disasters it would bring to the economy and people’s livelihoods. In reality no-deal is an illusion. Because if we left the EU without ironing out a deal, we would have to accept global world trade rules until we negotiated our own individual trade deals.

The Liberal Democrat plan to simply abolish Brexit is terrible. It would cut the public out of the decision-making, and that could only increase the public anger. It surprises me that the Lib Dems, who were early advocates of a referendum on Europe are now taking such an anti-democratic approach in ditching the referendum results.

It’s a disgrace that just at this critical time in our country’s history the Tory Government has decided to shut down Parliament. Our elected representatives should be holding the Government to account and exploring all the options for resolving the crisis.

I hope that once this immediate crisis is over, and the Prime Minister has either got his new deal or asked the EU for more time, there will be a General Election.