The mechanism of the Northern Ireland Protocol made the everyday lives of citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland significantly more difficult. Food supply, for example, proved to be particularly problematic, as the EU’s strict consumer protection requirements caused serious disruptions and shortages in Northern Ireland.

The Windsor Framework provides much-needed clarity and stability for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland, and it demonstrates that the UK and the EU are continuing to work together to find solutions to the challenges posed by Brexit.

Evidence indicates that the UK has become more polarised when it comes to people’s positions on salient issues. Great Britain is also witnessing a fragmentation of political support and ‘affective polarisation’ related to people’s Brexit identities.

While seven weeks ago few would have predicted it, Tuesday saw the triumphant installation of the man who had finished a distant second in the Tory leadership race this summer.