This controversy comes after a prolonged period in which the executive under Theresa May used every micro-institutional weapon to blackmail MPs into accepting its deal.

Patrick Dunleavy argues that the UK has slipped into having a failed constitution, where core democratic institutions are contaminated by rigged micro-institutions. The control of power has become dominated by a bunch of executive tricks, and an uncodified ‘constitution’ no longer provides any predictable or worthwhile constraints on government action.

Opinions of the system of governing are at their lowest point in the 15-year Audit series – worse now than in the aftermath of the MPs’ expenses scandal.

72% say the system of governing needs ‘quite a lot’ or ‘a great deal’ of improvement.

The number of people who say the system needs ‘a great deal’ of improvement has risen eight points in a year, to 37%.

Asked whether the problem is the system or the people, the largest group (38%) say ‘both’.

Britons have more confidence in the military and judges than in politicians to act in the public interest.

Only 25% of the public have confidence in MPs’ handling of Brexit.

50% say the main parties and politicians don’t care about people like them.

75% say the main political parties are so divided within themselves that they cannot serve the best interests of the country.

34% still consider themselves a ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ strong supporter of a political party.

People are pessimistic about the country’s problems and their possible solution, with sizeable numbers willing to entertain radical political changes.

Well over half the public are downbeat about the state of Britain:

56% think Britain is in decline, 63% think Britain’s system of government is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful, and 66% think most big issues facing the country today don’t have clear solutions.

54% say Britain needs a strong leader who is willing to break the rules.

The public are evenly split between those who prefer politicians who make compromises with people they disagree with (48%) and those who prefer politicians who stick to their positions (45%).

66% think politicians should be able to say what’s on their mind regardless of what anyone else thinks about their views.

42% think many of the country’s problems could be dealt with more effectively if the government didn’t have to worry so much about votes in Parliament.

Marginally more people prefer experienced political parties and leaders who have been in power before (47%) to those with radical ideas for change who haven’t been in power before (43%).

55% still think that big questions should be put to the public in referendums more often than today.

Core indicators of certainty to vote, and interest in and knowledge of politics, remain stable at average or above-average levels.

The number who ‘strongly disagree’ that political involvement can change the way the UK is run (18%) has hit a 15-year high.

Of 13 political activities, the number of people saying they would be prepared to do ‘none’ is up 10 points in a year to 22%.

47% feel they have no influence at all over national decision-making – a new high for the Audit series.

32% say they do not want to be involved ‘at all’ in local decision-making, a rise of 10 points in a year.

Compared to last year, more people say that they are not at all interested in politics and know nothing about it.

30% of people say they never discuss government and politics.

53% say they have not done any form of online political activity in the last year.