SO we appear to have reached that inevitable crunch time on Brexit.

After kicking the can down the road for so long, there would always come a point when Theresa May’s cabinet, split on what Brexit should actually look like, would need to reach a collective agreement.

The initial signs put out by Number 10 last Friday were that May’s Chequers deal had achieved that.

But it quickly appeared that, in fact, the cabinet was not as united as the Prime Minister wanted people to think.

By Monday, Brexit secretary David Davis had quit, and Boris Johnson had followed him, forcing the PM into a chaotic reshuffle, and into the biggest test of her leadership so far.

At the time of writing this, it appears the worst of the storm has passed, with no further resignations. But national media have reported there is the very real prospect that the number of letters sent to the 1922 committee calling for a vote of no confidence in Mrs May could reach the magic number of 48, which would force a leadership contest.

Most likely the reason we are not at that point is that many of the unhappy Tory MPs do not have the appetite for a contest, or a potential general election. But I have a feeling this is not over yet. The hard Brexit supporting MPs are not going to go quietly, and may seize an opportunity when they have the numbers, and the ability, to make their move.

Things move quickly in politics and, after the summer recess, I would not be surprised if at the October conference season we see that leadership contest.

Meanwhile, the Brexit clock keeps ticking, with only eight months left to go.

Worcester’s MP Robin Walker, one of the Brexit ministers, told this newspaper earlier this week that by March 2019 he wanted the deal on withdrawal to have been reached, and to “have a clear agreement on a future relationship.” As it stands, with the current climate, I struggle to see if that is a realistic possible.

And as I have always said don’t be surprised if that Brexit deadline is extended - especially if a new PM with a new strategy has taken office.

• Good luck to England tonight. Let’s hope it will be as straightforward as the Sweden quarter final was. Whatever happens now, win or lose, this young team has exceeded expectations.