I have tried to avoid talking too much about Brexit in this regular opinion piece.

But it is hard not to.

Because the issue is never far from the thoughts of businesses as they try to grapple with the potential outcomes of the ongoing wrangling in Parliament and Brussels. 

Will it be Theresa May’s deal, Norway-plus or another hybrid? Will it be no-deal, and Extension to Article 50, or will we, after all this, end up staying?

This week, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce wrote to the county’s MPs demanding answers to 20 critical Brexit-related questions facing businesses. 

They cover everything from tariffs and customs to business travel, dispute resolution and issues relating to a no-deal outcome on March 29.

I, like many reading this, am all ears. What the answers will be is anyone’s guess. 

But the situation is getting critical. Calls have increased in recent weeks for businesses to brace themselves for no-deal - the outcome many fear most.

Despite politicians stressing they are doing everything they can to avoid it, it is the default position after all. And it looks scarily more likely as each day passes with little progress being made in Westminster or Brussels.

Self-styled “Brexit saboteur” and Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Vince Cable (pictured) came to Cumbria recently to speak to businesses about the burning issue.

He claimed the Government is trying to “bluff” politicians at home in an attempt to force Theresa May’s deal through, as the only real alterative to crashing out without a deal. He also believes they are trying to bluff the EU too, in a bid to force them to accept the Prime Minister’s vision for future relations.

I think, after all the language being thrown around by the likes of Donald Tusk, that particular bluff has next to no chance of working.

In the meantime, it feels as if we are all already in, to use Mr Tusk’s now infamous words, a “special place in hell”.

The economy is being held back. Investment is not happening. Growth forecasts are being downgraded. The outlook looks bleak.

Many believe that businesses hectically stockpiling materials is the only thing keep the economy ticking along. That in itself is pretty worrying. Meanwhile, financial institutions continue to sneak out the back door, well aware the current post-Brexit landscape offers little if anything for them.

During his visit to the county, Sir Vince also continued to push the case for a second referendum. 

Rather than being undemocratic, he says it makes complete sense to check if – after two years of uncertainty and chaos – voters really do want to leave.

I cannot say I’m entirely convinced the “people’s vote” will make things any clearer. I can certainly see the point of those who say the vote happened and we now have to stick with it. I also, see the point being made by Sir Vince and those in favour of going back to the polls.

People voted to Brexit for many different reasons. It would certainly be interesting to see if the pendulum would swing the other way.

A recent YouGov poll found that the vast majority of business leaders it surveyed voted to remain in the first place. Business leaders have found themselves in a difficult position when it comes to voicing their opinions.

You can see how many would want to remain, with access to the single market, workforce issues just two of the reasons. And you can see why they may have been reluctant to speak up about it, if their views are at odds with their workforces.

But try as I might, I can’t see that business has been consulted on Brexit or any deals flying around. It is quite alarming how they have been marginalised. 

There was a positive message from Sir Vince’s colleague and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron, that businesses in Cumbria will do just fine regardless of what happens.

I agree that while Britain’s standing in Europe has been damaged, the standing of Cumbrian businesses – the things they produce and the services they supply – has not. Cumbrian businesses are used to dealing with adversity and emerging stronger. However, I’m sure many would rather not have to deal with adversity at all. It is already hard enough being in business during these tough economic times.

Yet again, this week has billed as a crunch week. And so will next week. Every week since the UK voted to leave has been one. The worrying think is that we are a little over a month from the self-imposed deadline to leave. 

Regardless of your political persuasion, whether you voted leave or remain, businesses I speak to just want it sorted. 

Surely there is only so long this can go on. Surely there is an end in sight.