FOR some the May Plan has become the political equivalent of the Norwegian Blue. A Brexit policy that is “not dead; just resting”.

Yesterday at Chequers, our embattled leader sought to breathe some life into her creation, which has taken a major battering not once but twice.

Yet the backdrop to the get-together in sunny Buckinghamshire was yet more intrigue and talk of a coup.

The Ides of March passed more than a week ago but Cabinet ministers were declaring the “end is nigh” for the Prime Minister and her Norwegian Blue Brexit.

Read more: Theresa May's premiership teetering on the brink as she confronts Cabinet plotters

Mrs May, described by one loyal MP as a “tough old bird,” has shown over the last few months a remarkable resilience. Indeed, there is much public sympathy for the turmoil and tribulation she has had to endure.

But Nicola Sturgeon was right when she said in normal political circumstances, the PM would be “long gone”. Of course, these are not normal political circumstances; far from it.

The fact you have senior ministers openly defying the whip, the loss of key votes, the “humiliation” of the EU telling Britain what it can and cannot do and Mrs May alienating much of her own side through injudicious remarks, should normally all lead to only one conclusion. Combined, the circumstances make John Major’s time in office look positively golden.

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And as has been shown in the past, when Cabinet collective responsibility breaks down and the weekly Downing St meetings leak like a sieve, these usually herald a premier’s political demise.

Today, there is yet another emergency Cabinet, which, no doubt, we will all hear the details of within minutes of it ending. Or before.

The DUP has already made clear it will not back Mrs May’s deal at its third attempt. So, what now?

Last week, an attempt by backbenchers to seize control of the parliamentary process by holding indicative votes failed by just two votes. It looks certain to get through on Monday evening.

It is possible the PM will accept reality and try to seize the initiative by saying the Government will itself stage indicative votes on Wednesday; it had after all promised to do so within two weeks following the European Council should its deal not get through.

Chancellor Philip Hammond hit the airwaves yesterday to speak of “compromise” and even in the process talked up a People’s Vote as a “perfectly coherent proposition”.

Perhaps there is life in the PM's old bird yet but most Westminster-watchers think it looks like it is no more, it has ceased to be, it has expired and gone to meet its maker; it’s a stiff.

The search for an alternative must come to the fore and quick.