BREXIT again – but in snatches, the better, I hope, to engage wavering attention.

1 It is very hard not to use the word ‘duplicitous’ to describe Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement

In her letter to the nation she promised: “We will take back control of our laws by ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK.”

She repeated this in an interview with the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg.

But it’s only partially true.

In all matters where we continue to follow EU rules, any dispute must be referred to the ECJ.

Confusingly, an ‘arbitration panel’, composition as yet unknown, also enters the scene.

However, since the ‘Political Declaration’ linked to the Withdrawal Agreement aims for “closer and deeper” relations between the EU and the UK, and states that these must also bring “stronger obligations”, the likelihood is that the European Court will continue to play a significant part in our law making.

Of course Mrs May doesn’t expect us to notice this subtlety.

2 The wilder shores of anti-Brexit hysteria

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, says his permanent secretary (the Sir Humphrey figure) has warned a No Deal could prevent people on medication getting the drugs they need.

A similar alarm has been raised over bottled water.

You could be forgiven for thinking we are at war with the EU.

You’d never believe we are dealing with supposedly friendly neighbours. But then, looking at the mess of Brexit, you would never guess that we correctly followed the EU’s own laid-down process for leaving.

Throughout, it has behaved as though we rashly attempted to escape, and therefore must be punished. In the end it is allowing us out, but manacled on a long, heavy chain.

Incidentally, that word ‘allowed’ reminds me I heard Mrs May say: “We are allowed to make our own trade agreements.” ‘Allowed’ mark you. Not ‘free to.’

And this from a Prime Minister, inheritor of the mantle of Churchill. But it is another partial truth anyway.

Still bound to EU tariffs through the customs union we will struggle to make independent deals.

Donald Trump was right to decide not to waste America’s time with it.

3 A Scottish dimension

There has always seemed a contradiction in demands for Scottish independence from those also wanting Scotland to remain in the EU.

Essentially this simply means choosing Brussels over Westminster as the ultimate master.

But George Adam, an SNP MSP (I’m confident you can follow that) nevertheless said recently: “Independence will allow Scotland to be an equal partner in Europe instead of being dragged out against our will by the Tories.”

I wonder if he means equal to, say, Germany – or perhaps Croatia?