It really is hard to believe. Here is the UK government, negotiating with Europe’s leaders over nothing less than Britain’s future arrangements with Europe, without having put any serious analysis or assessment before the public.

Moreover, in 2016 Britons will be voting, assuming that the government adopts the Electoral Commission's wording on "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" On what basis will they be making up their minds?