In that case the Leave campaign should not have suggested it was a reasonable case to put forward if they never could have actually actioned it. You have to re

In that case the Leave campaign should not have suggested it was a reasonable case to put forward if they never could have actually actioned it. You have to remember Leave vs Remain was for the most part government ministers arguing with each other, and the PM lost his job over the result, with the current Foreign Secretary and his colleague in the Leave campaign both planning to run for that office. To say that they are not in Government, just because they have not taken the role of PM, is shaky ground: they will be judged on this at the next election, to some extent. The problem is people still think this number is real. If they knew the true numbers, they would likely vote differently. Hence the back-pressure: now we know the numbers, it might be sensible to re-think this project in its entirety. Alas, common sense can't prevail because to point out that politicians currently serving in HMG's cabinet are lying liars who lie is politically toxic, and saving face is more important than doing the right thing by the country.