After a Nazi referendum victory in 1933 Goebbels said the "will of the people is the will of the government and vice versa". The "Will of the People" is a mantra used to delegitimise opposition and democratic checks and balances. It is absolutely toxic to democracy.

Contrary to the lies of the Brexiters, democracy isn't about the popular will expressed through votes. It is about votes, but equally it is about the right to oppose, the rule of law and the right to accurate information, all of which the Brexit right cynically abused.

Brexit politics has made it absolutely clear that a large part of the British and media elite either do not understand democracy, or have no care for it. And it is equally clear that the same applies to a large segment of the public.