A DIFFICULT end to a difficult week. Yesterday’s European Union summit did not provide any of the answers that Theresa May was looking for – indeed judging by the criticisms of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, which were caught on camera, no one even seems sure of exactly what questions were being asked.

After one of the most tumultuous political weeks in a generation, we find ourselves back where we were seven days ago. A Prime Minister without a majority in the House of Commons trying to force through a Brexit bill that cannot secure the support of a majority of MPs.

With Christmas fast approaching, there is bound to be a temptation for the Prime Minister to kick all of this into the long grass. Delay the ‘meaningful vote’ on her Brexit deal by another week, and Mrs May will be able to head into the Christmas recess hoping that the festive break will focus minds. By the time MPs reassemble in January, perhaps some floating voters will have come down on her side.

There is political logic to such a move, but it would be a bad decision. Ignoring this problem will not make it go away.

If Mrs May is serious about seeing this through, she should hold her vote next week.

Win it, a scenario that is admittedly extremely unlikely, and she can eat her Christmas dinner with a smile on her face. Lose it, and she can use the Christmas break to try to come up with an alternative plan that could satisfy both Brussels and a majority of MPs.