Missing link in the Brexit puzzle: English nationalism

MANY explanations have been broached for the Leavers' surprise win in the UK European Union (EU) referendum: a divide across age, anti-elitism, a protest against globalisation, the suffering many communities feel from an influx of immigrants, the dislike of unelected "Eurocrats".

Yet, the real culprit seems to be the rise of English nationalism. This is the missing link in the "Brexit" puzzle.

If this persists as a political force, the UK has no scope under Theresa May, the new prime minister, to choose a Norwegian or even a Swiss arrangement for its future relationship with the EU. The shape of a post-Brexit UK looks more like that of a free-trading nation with tight controls on immigration.