Express & Star comment: Could the Prime Minister’s deal be the only way?

Yes, it has more holes in it than a colander, and would result in a relationship with Brussels that is far too close for many people who voted to leave the bloc back in June 2016.

But thanks to the concerted efforts of our MPs, the options for any sort of Brexit at all have been whittled down to this: Mrs May's deal, or no Brexit at all.

By seizing control of the parliamentary timetable, our politicians have allowed themselves to pore over a range of options, most of which will undoubtedly spark anger among many of the 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU.

With 'no deal' effectively off the table, if MPs have their way the country could well be faced with the prospect of staying in a customs union, a Norway-plus style 'softer' Brexit, or – worst of all – a second referendum.

It is easy to see why even committed Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Michael Fabricant are now reluctantly considering backing the Prime Minister's deal.

A dismayed public has been forced to sit back and watch as MPs have gradually ground down a splintered Government that has proved itself to be incapable of guiding us out of the EU.

A House of Commons that is heavily stacked in favour of Remain can now sense a real opportunity to thwart Brexit.

Make no mistake, many MPs who represent Leave voting areas are working tirelessly to block our departure.

As far as Mrs May is concerned, the main stumbling block to getting her deal through the Commons remains the DUP.

While there is a possibility that a significant number of Brexiteers will support it at the next meaningful vote, as well as a few more Labour MPs, the Prime Minister needs the backing of the unionists if her deal is to stand any chance of success.

And as things stand, DUP leader Arlene Foster is not for budging.

Of all the disasters that have followed Mrs May's reckless 2017 General Election gamble, getting into bed with the unionists has had the most serious consequences.