It is a feature of the party conference season that the eye-catching headline-grabbing pledges and promises delivered to the party faithful soon fade.

And this year more than any other, they will recede more quickly as the political warfare over Brexit resumes in Westminster and Brussels and the focus switches back the government's efforts to get a deal over the line.

With the clock ticking towards the deadline of October 31, the party conference season resulted in a hiatus, notwithstanding the unusual scenario of MPs from the opposition parties sitting at Westminster.

The Prime Minister's political stock has taken a bit of a battering and he has - not for the first time - had to fend off accusations surrounding his personal life at the same time as coming up with proposals to exit the EU that will satisfy his own divided party and its political partners, the DUP.

It's the political equivalent of Indiana Jones evading various hazards in underground tombs to get to some prized historical artefact - or a map showing how to get there.

In a sign of the scale of the impact on the economy, the chief executive of the Port of Dover has issued a warning it risks losing £1 billion a week in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

At a party fringe meeting today, Doug Bannister said while extensive preparations had been made, the port would take a substantial financial hit.

“That’s how critical it is. If there’s a no-deal Brexit, it’s not going to be OK.

"But people are doing all they can to ensure Britain keeps trading,” he said.

It is the kind of eye-watering figure that ought to concentrate minds but when it comes to Brexit, views are so deeply entrenched that breaking the political stalemate before the end of the month may prove a challenge too far.

How is Brexit going to affect Kent? For all the latest news, views and analysis visit our dedicated page here

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils