For all the fire and fury, there’s only one deal in town – and MPs should vote for it

Yesterday afternoon a rumour spread around Westminster that the Prime Minister was going to make a live statement in Downing Street. The appearance of the Number 10 lectern always excites journalists as the PM tends only to use it when making dramatic announcements.

Talk of her resignation or a high-stakes ultimatum continued to occupy Westminster-watchers throughout the evening, until Theresa May appeared just after half past eight to reiterate what she'd already said several times throughout the day: that she is seeking a short extension to the UK's exit date so that MPs can figure out what it is they want.

Do they want to leave the EU with a deal? With no deal? Or do they even want to leave at all?

May's statement was not designed to satisfy the media. Instead it was a direct pitch to the public. Addressing a country numbed by what the trade secretary Liam Fox calls Brexit fatigue, the PM said “you want this done” – adding, “I'm on your side.”

May believes that the public, having zoned out of parliament's tedious back-and-forth of debate, amendments and rows over procedure, simply want MPs to get on with it – and then get on with other things. She's almost certainly correct in her analysis and she now wishes to frame the Brexit debate as one between those who have a plan – and a desire – to respect the referendum result, and those that have neither.

Her direct pitch to the public will infuriate MPs who blame her for the deadlock, but for all the furious debate it remains the case that the PM's deal is the only one on the table.

The Labour party may claim to have an alternative up its sleeve but Jeremy Corbyn doesn't deserve to be treated like a grown-up, having stormed out of a meeting of party leaders in protest at the presence of Chuka Umunna, one of the founders of the new Independent Group. The other opposition parties are simply in favour of abandoning Brexit and seem interested in little else beyond using the current political crisis to ram that point home.

With clowns to her left and jokers to her right, the PM – beleaguered and increasingly isolated – is still the only one holding a viable deal. The rebels in her own party and the assortment of critics from across the spectrum have it within their power to back her deal and end this crisis.

They must do so.