AS is often the case in politics, the start of this week panned out quite differently than I expected.

On Monday, following the tabling of an urgent question on Brexit and the customs union by my colleague John Redwood, I found myself at the despatch box at very short notice fielding questions from MPs about the government’s Brexit policy.

I was followed shortly afterwards by the Prime Minister who reported back to the House on her trip to Brussels last week.

Polarisation in Parliament over Brexit reflects a wider division in society that is very much apparent in my inbox! The reason why we are approaching gridlock at Westminster is because the country as a whole is closely divided on the question of our future relationship with the EU. The past week has brought this into even sharper focus.

I know that a significant number of constituents took part in Saturday’s march in London calling for a second referendum – many of you have written to me over the past few days. I have also been inundated with emails expressing the opposite view that the government’s proposals appear to risk drifting too far away from the referendum mandate and our 2017 manifesto.

I have always been clear that I oppose holding a second referendum. The British people and the Salisbury constituency voted by a small but clear majority to leave the institutions of the European Union. The legitimacy of our entire political system would be called into question if we did not implement the result of a democratic vote – especially when the turnout was the highest since the 1992 general election.

Given that opinion polls show there has been very little movement since 2016, I would anticipate another close result if we were to hold another referendum. This would not bring the clarity that people seek, but further entrench division and discord. This is the very last thing we need.

But we also have to be pragmatic in how Brexit is delivered. The 2017 general election delivered a Conservative minority government. This means that to pass a deal through the House of Commons, the government needs to command wide support.

This necessitates compromises and a pragmatic approach. This is not being weak or showing a lack of steel, but a simple reflection of the political reality that we are in.

I have strong views on making sure we are faithful to the 2016 referendum and 2017 Conservative manifesto, but we also need an agreement that has the best chance of gaining the

backing of a majority in the Commons chamber.