So, ignore the bruised and increasingly unhinged establishment – these elections confirm how strong the desire for Brexit remains. However, at the same time, those of us who are pro-Brexit must be honest with ourselves, too. We cannot criticise the culture of denial among the establishment and then engage in denial in relation to our own side. And we have to confront the fact that the Brexit Party’s victory is not without its complications or problems. One thing about these elections that is depressing is the low turnout, especially in Leave areas. Turnout in general was just below 37 per cent, far lower than the continental average. In comparison with the 2014 Euro elections, turnout in the UK rose in Remain-voting areas but fell in Leave-voting areas. That should be of serious concern to everyone who views Brexit primarily as a brilliant, historic opportunity to tap into the hitherto unrecognised democratic energy of ordinary people.

In the mostly pro-Remain south east of England, turnout rose from 36 per cent to nearly 40 per cent. But in the West Midlands – very strong Brexit territory – it fell, to around 31 per cent. It also fell slightly in the Brexit territory of the North West (33.1 per cent). Most worryingly, turnout was lowest in precisely those areas that enjoyed a very high turnout and a very strong vote for Brexit in the 2016 referendum: in Stoke-on-Trent it was 26.5 per cent; in Sandwell, 28 per cent; and in Walsall, 28.7 per cent. Sadly, the lowest turnout was in one of the nation’s most pro-Brexit areas – Hull. Just 24 per cent of voters in Hull voted in these elections.

This tells us a very concerning and potentially even tragic story: that the elite’s relentless campaign of voter demoralisation over the past three years has reaped dividends. That the incessant demonisation of Brexit, and the establishment’s signalling that it will simply override those people who voted for it, seems to have convinced some people that it is futile to defend or restate their desire for Brexit. It also tells us that the Brexit Party, or some other force, has much work to do to tap into the democratic potential of the ‘left behind’. Brexit is the best opportunity in our lifetimes to re-energise democracy by including previously ignored voices, by drawing into the decision-making process the people of Hull, Stoke, Walsall, Boston, South Wales and others across the UK who for decades have effectively been disenfranchised by a political class that isn’t interested in them and a technocratic political system that filters out their views and opinions. Can the Brexit Party do this? That remains to be seen…

Be seeing you

The Communist youth leader thought Germany was finally going to rule the UK and Europe.