Toynbee writes: “The moment is fertile for some yet-worse demagogue who calls for throwing out migrants already here.  Expect the volume to be raised against the “elites” – anti- parliament, anti-politics, bored with democracy itself.  Ignite hatred against Europe, blame Brussels for deliberately impoverishing us in revenge, (Tories already blame Brussels for policies they themselves have implemented. Ed.), stirring centuries-old enmities.

“Blend all that with a little nationalistic, leftish populism; nationalise our utilities and rail, eject foreign owners from key industries and property, pump up the armed forces and national pride, scrap the Human Rights legislation, make the BBC a government information department”, oh, and make it unpleasant enough for the people in the City that they would resettle in Frankfurt, however reluctantly.

The British regard themselves as a tolerant, moderate nation.  So, until Trump, did the Americans. Polly Toynbee calls this prospect “militant majoritarianism”.    I call it a form of fascism, and it’s happening in Eastern Europe and the United States as well.  It could lead to the diminution of the EU as we know it.  Winner?  Certainly not our young people, who regard themselves as citizens of the world (good for them!) and who face a tough future as it is.  It will be Russia, which has perceived EU and NATO enlargement be encircling and threatening them.  Of course, the Brexit people (no plan, no vision, all emotion) will be incapable of recognising what they have wrought, nor will they take  responsibility for it, if it happens.  It’s always somebody else’s fault.  Epicurus wouldn’t believe all this!