I will be eternally grateful to Archinect for asking me to write these pieces as it has encouraged me to read more column inches on Brexit than I otherwise would and to consider the wider issues. I must admit, it looks like a mess.

We voted to leave then in the snap election which was called to give greater power to those negotiating, we took that power away. You have to respect the Prime Ministers amazing capacity to brush it all off. We are where we are. You couldn’t make it up. It is now the centre of Tory infighting over Europe — but it was ever thus. The opposition is also in disarray.

It is coincidental that the movie Dunkirk was released during the summer. We find ourselves in a uniquely British position where again we will pluck an incredible victory out of what seems to be a humiliating retreat. Phil Hammond is at odds with some of the cabinet but has actually put forward an incredibly sensible proposal. We give up our power in Europe and any voting rights in exchange for continued access to the single market, free movement — and continued contributions, like Norway — until we can negotiate more favourable terms. The timescale allows little else.

We find ourselves in a uniquely British position where again we will pluck an incredible victory out of what seems to be a humiliating retreat.

I am standing as Vice President International Affairs at the RIBA and know that my views might be unpopular. I voted to remain but am convinced that our retreat from Europe will see the UK prosper. In the short term, this seems unlikely. But this depends on us as Architects, Engineers, Scientists, Manufacturers to produce the goods and services which the rest of the world wants. And to do that, we need to continue to attract the brightest and best minds from all over the world. There is clearly a lot to agree.

Our future relies on trading throughout the world, including Europe.

My optimism stems from the fact that since we voted to leave, WW+P has continued to win work further afield, and we need to acknowledge that the UK needs to trade with the whole world not rely on Europe, and in many ways, EU legislation is holding us back. We have won major projects in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia and have fantastic opportunities elsewhere. Our future relies on trading throughout the world, including Europe.