THE famous catch phrase of Laurel and Hardy is often misquoted as: “Well, here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” The actual quote is: “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” Newspapers are mostly held to blame for the wrong quote, no doubt misguided by the fact that the duo made the 1930 film Another Fine Mess.

The term seems to be so appropriate 90 years later as the Brexit debacle rolls on and on. A week may be a long time in politics, a phrase attributed to British Prime Minister Harold Wilson 55 years ago, but it is a case now that 24 hours can see the sands shift dramatically with our near neighbours.