Brexit’s pint-sized ‘benefits’ are a measure of its failure

Jacques Delors delivers his memorable speech to the TUC conference in 1988 – one that transformed Labour’s attitude to the EU. Photograph: Martin Keene/PA

One day in January 1985 I was staying in my usual Paris hotel, writing an article about the French economy and due to interview the finance minister that morning. He stood me up, but with good reason. The telephone rang and his assistant said Monsieur Delors had just resigned from the treasury and was off to Brussels to become president of the European Commission.

I hesitate to use a dreadful ­cliche, but I shall: the rest is history. Delors formed an alliance with Margaret Thatcher which led to the ­creation of the single market, with Thatcher’s nominee Arthur (later Lord) Cockfield playing a leading role in its formation.