Ten years on from the referendum, Brexit still shapes British politics. It has smashed the two-party duopoly and continues to divide the country. Keir Starmer’s struggle to remain prime minister after last week’s drubbing for Labour in elections in England, Scotland and Wales is proof of that.

Voters took politicians at their word after the decision was made to leave the EU. The reason “Take back control” worked as a slogan was that it chimed with the public mood in large parts of Britain.

For years it had been clear that the UK’s economic model was only working for the better-off parts of the country. Globalisation might be bringing rich rewards to London and the south-east, but it isn’t to towns in the north hollowed out by deindustrialisation and austerity.

But taking back control also meant Britain could no longer use the EU as a reason for passivity. Politicians had become well versed in using Europe as an excuse for inactivity, but after Brexit this line of argument no longer washed.

The UK had to solve its own problems. It was no longer bound to adopt EU regulations. It could set its own trade policy. It could, if it chose, follow the example of east Asian economies and systematically rebuild manufacturing using tariffs, subsidies, government procurement and capital controls. But if the freedoms were not used,........

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