Brexit represents the catastrophic failure caused by Britain's "unwritten constitution" and a radically unbalanced and unequal federal arrangement (the "union" of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). While the government and Parliament restrained themselves within the conventions, an appearance of normality was sustained.

But when factions on the far wings, right and left, of the main political parties saw an opportunity to seize the agenda on the UK's relations with the rest of Europe, they did – especially on the right. This was the Brexit referendum offered by then prime minister David Cameron to quieten – as he thought – the far right wing of his Conservative Party.

It’s essential to note two things:

Despite all the noise and dust, there is no majority for Brexit in the UK. In the referendum the Brexit vote was 37 per cent of the total electorate – 26 per cent of the population – which, by the way the figures for votes cast on the day fell out, gave a 51.89 per cent “win” for Brexit. (Note that had this been the proportion of the total electorate it would still not be enough to trigger vast constitutional change in most civilised states in the world. There are scarcely any where a simple majority, let alone a small one, would permit this: for such a change, a supermajority would be required, of 60 per cent or 66 per cent either of votes cast or the entire electorate.