Ice cream and swimwear

Sterling has dropped 15% since the referendum. On the face of it, this should make our exports cheaper and so increase sales. This would fit with the Brexit plans to strike trade deals across the world and become a trade-led economy.

It hasn't worked yet. All Mr Fox, the secretary for international trade, could boast about recently was an increase in income from exports of ice cream and swimwear. However even the apparent rise in ice cream income is mostly due to exporters getting more pounds per scoop, sales have barely changed.

One issue is that British industries 'add value' now rather than actually manufacturing things. We import parts and export the finished product. The values of the imports and exports almost cancel out.

A more worrying issue is that firms seem to be just banking their extra profits instead of investing them in developing new markets or adding capacity. Last year non-financial firms banked £74 billion - a record.

Clearly companies won't invest until they feel safe to do so. Until Britain's future is more certain they will sit on a comforting pile of cash.

Government supporters of the export-oriented Singapore model should be supporting British industry. Supporting British industry means supporting a well-defined exit strategy with clear goals. Supporting a well-defined exit strategy means supporting Mrs May as she negotiates with the EU.

It really it very simple. To realise their dream the Tory Brexiteers need to rally behind Mrs May, right now.