Britain has dramatically increased the value of weaponry and defence equipment it sells to the world’s most repressive regimes since vows by senior ministers to expand arms exports after the Brexit vote.

Many people blame the EU for triggering the conflict in Ukraine. However, the EU’s failure to predict Russia’s actions does not make it responsible for them. Since the fighting began, the EU has done a lot to help Ukraine and constrain Russia’s behaviour.

It is only by claiming that trading 'on WTO terms' would be fine that Brexiters manage to be so relaxed about the UK leaving the EU without a deal, but the WTO does not ensure the removal of all barriers to trade.