It's time to end the idea that we can seriously leave with no deal when we are far from ready to manage it and in the middle of a pandemic. With public opinion turning against the prime minister, he needs the political win of a deal with the EU more than ever. But even with a deal achieved, the warm glow of that achievement will disappear in the new year when the reality of leaving the single market and customs union in favour of a basic trade agreement sinks in.

Public opinion already shows a clear shift against Brexit, with a YouGov poll released this week that showed 50% believing that in hindsight the UK was wrong to vote to leave the EU. Public opinion is opposed to the governments handling of Brexit and can see it has been handled haphazardly and divisively since 2016. A pragmatic solution was needed that the majority of the country could get behind.

No deal or a basic deal is inevitably going to lead to renegotiation in the future. Whether it be the Conservative Party or Labour, a future government will build on the deal we leave with in January. The reality is that we need a sustainable partnership with the EU and a strong alliance. The UK must have a comprehensive trade agreement befitting of this vital economic relationship. This reality is going to become ever clearer in coming months and years.

If we leave with an inadequate and thin deal, opposition to it will grow over time as the consequences sink in. If we leave with no deal, our economic is in trouble and the backlash against Brexit will be furious. The debate will be resurrected and the rejoiner movement will have wind beneath its wings and fire in its belly. Its time for a rethink and a change of direction.

Switzerland had an opportunity to distance itself from the EU and chose not to, showing the merits of not burning bridges. We should learn a lesson from them. Instead of pivoting to be the 51st state or pretending were like Japan thousands of miles away from Europe, we should join like-minded countries in Europe who want to be free from the EU but working in close political and economic partnership.

Now is the time to reconsider a future in the European Free Trade Association, the first step towards a more pragmatic way of relating to the EU than the scorched earth method weve resorted to. Why not go Swiss and balance the benefits of being out of the EU with the benefits of a free trade and individual freedom?

We are not Canada. Were part of Europe, not North America, no matter how much Atlanticists may wish otherwise. Its madness to consider the Afghanistan option (WTO rules) and the rejoiner movement is on a hiding to nothing. So, lets instead rejoin the organisation we helped establish in the first place and enjoy trade-based cooperation with our European friends without the political ties. Friends with benefits is the happy compromise the UK needs!

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Let's have a deal and friends with benefits post-Brexit by joining Efta - Telegraph.co.uk