As the polls closed in Britain’s referendum on whether to leave the European Union, UKIP leader Nigel Farage conceded the race with the words: “It looks like Remain will edge it.”
Two hours later, when the results from the north east began to come in, it was clear he had underestimated the size of the rout. Remain won 55 per cent of the vote, more than any poll had suggested, and prime minister David Cameron soon released a statement congratulating himself for having settled an issue that had dogged his party for a generation.
Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month
Content from our partners
