Also, England is fascinating in that, perhaps uniquely in the world, even the most subliterate proles think themselves superior to any foreigner of whatever background. An English council estate dweller thinks himself superior to and better than a Spanish aristocrat.

Dream on. If there will be little change, why did they vote to leave? You contradict yourself.

Also, if the 17 million who voted to leave the EU are “ordinary people”, then what, in your view, are the 16 million people who voted to remain? Extraordinary people?

This ‘ordinary people’ business is a farce. Everybody is ordinary, by definition, bar the few who are extraordinary.

I’m far from being a far right xenophobe (couldn’t be further from it in fact) but I don’t like panic and hysteria and I don’t like a democratic vote being dismissed as the actions of sub-intelligent hillbillies (and therefore to be dismissed).

I don’t like British people being described as yokels and xenophobes – it’s simply not true. True, such people do exist (they exist in every country) but they are a small minority – and if you only regard them as worthless idiots you fail to understand the problems they face and the fears (legitimate or otherwise) that they have.

Part of the reason for the vote is that politicians have consistently ignored ordinary people and have not addressed or even recognized their concerns. But overall I am optimistic. I keep telling you: the sky will not fall, the sea will not boil, cows will not abort. There will be remarkably little change.

“What other nation would behave like that?”

Most, because all military personnel are trained that way. I think you should read about Malta’s history in World War II. I think you should also find out just how many ‘British soldiers’ and ‘British sailors’ in that war were not British at all.

Ordinary people – civilians – are different. British civilians are people who are frightened of foreigners in the shape of ordinary housewives with children and men wearing long white frocks. That’s not particularly brave, is it.

Anyway, I never had you down as a far-right xenophobe who’s got a fascination for borders and glory. Funny what you find out about people.

I think you’ll find that the British government and people are far more resilient than you give them credit for. Do you remember when HMS Sheffield was hit by an Exocet missile in 1982? The sailors all gathered on the aft deck and waited patiently to be taken off by helicopter while the ship slowly sank. No hysteria, no panic, just stoically waiting for rescue – and while they waited they sang “always look on the bright side of life” from Monty Pythons Life of Brian. What other nation would behave like that?

Regardless of the pros and cons of leaving, the sheer scale of what has to be done in terms of legislation, negotiations and restructuring is terrifying. What you saw there is the equivalent of people on Valium in the midst of chaos.