Theresa May capped a dismal week by returning from Brussels empty-handed.

The Prime Minister has not even got a scrap of paper to wave at MPs when she addresses them on Monday and as a result the Brexit process remains as deadlocked as ever.

Having a rebellious party and a divided Cabinet has not helped, nor has having to deal with insolent Jean-Claude Juncker, clearly unsuited to be EU Commission President.

But the Prime Minister is primarily responsible for this sorry state of affairs.

It was she who triggered Article 50 without any clear negotiating objectives, she who set down red lines which she later had to erase.

And it was she who over-promised to her backbenchers by making a commitment on the Irish backstop she knew she was incapable of honouring.

Unable to chart a way forward and too weak to impose her authority, her answer is to play for time and kick the can down the road again.

If she cannot find a path through then the only solution is to hand the task to Parliament.

Care failure

Our elderly deserve the best possible care and that means decent wages for those who look after them.

Today we reveal care workers are so poorly paid they can earn more from a cleaning job.

Little wonder the Unison union is warning that the profession is haemorrhaging staff at a time of rising demand.

This is what happens when councils are starved of cash and private firms engage in a race to the bottom to compete for contracts.

We are letting down our elderly and we are letting down the people who care for them.

Card games

Christmas cards from the royals have divided opinion.

Some people will prefer Harry and Meghan’s, others will plump for William and Kate’s .

So we will let you decide – if you are lucky enough to get one.

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