CHANCELLOR Philip Hammond’s plan for a “jobs-first” Brexit was widely welcomed within the business community yesterday.

There was praise for his stance on the need for transitional arrangements to avoid potentially damaging “cliff edges” and his recognition of the importance of the non-fragmentation of financial markets.

Mr Hammond’s push for migration to Britain to be managed – but not shut down – also found favour with industry leaders, who are keen to make sure the UK retains access to the brightest and best talent from around the world.

However, his bid to prioritise business in the Brexit negotiations puts him at odds with some of his senior Cabinet colleagues, including the Prime Minister, who view controlling immigration as the key issue.

So does the “soft-Brexit” slant of his speech signal the start of yet another round of internal Conservative Party wrangling over Europe? If so, the country can well do without it.

Theresa May is yet to agree a deal with the DUP to shore up her minority government, with the Northern Irish party urging the Government to give “greater focus” to the talks.

There is still huge public anger over the handling of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower in London, and the circumstances which led to it.

The scale of the ongoing terror threat facing our shores was again tragically demonstrated on Sunday night with the attack on Muslims returning from evening prayer in the capital.

And amid all this, the Brexit talks actually started on Monday.

The absolute last thing the UK needs is at this critical juncture is a civil war breaking out amongst the governing party. They owe it to the country to do better.