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Mr Maloney, I would be happy to agree with you if it had been made clear during the campaign that there was a substantial economic downside (or at least the risk of one). But no, it was anything but - we would hold all the cards, there would be no downside, it would be the easiest deal in history, a better-funded NHS, no German chancellor would allow tariffs on BMW cars and so on and so forth. People were sold a dream based on the promise of a more prosperous future. If that does not materialise, the next generation will overturn the vote.

There is no valid comparison to be made with wars or independence struggles or even the election of Labour governments. No government has been elected on a ticket of decline and no referendum has been won knowing that the country would be poorer as a result. Quite the contrary as the AV vote and Scottish referendum showed.