Russian interference

Where did Aaron Banks get the £2.3 million he used to bankroll the Leave campaign?

Who loaned £8 million to UKIP to pay for their Brexit campaign?

One theory is that it was the Russians. After all they interfered in the US elections in order to get the pro-Russia Mr Trump elected (Mr Trump's financial affairs are also rather murky - he still refuses to publish his tax returns, unlike every previous president). Russia has also attempted to interfere in the French elections, siding with the Russia-friendly candidate, Ms Le Pen.

Why would Russia want to interfere, though? Clearly it is in their interest to have friendly neighbours, so supporting sympathetic candidates is a no-brainer. Of course, it has to be done under the radar, hence all the skulduggery.

The real irony is the US fury over a bunch of Facebook ads and some "troll farms". The US has an extensive and shameful record of political interference with other democracies, involving long-term financial support to dictators, covert political advisors, military support, even waging war, in order to install or prop up governments friendly towards the US.

Russia is simply doing the same, including making war - such as their invasion of the Crimea and their cyber-attacks on Estonia.

Why Brexit, though? The next best thing to having friendly neighbours is having weak neighbours, ones who are no threat to you. Russia invaded the Ukraine when it seemed likely to join the EU, preventing its accession and any consequent increase in its ability to stand up to Russian influence.

Splitting the UK from the EU significantly decreases both the UK's and Europe's power. Not only will we no longer support each other so effectively, but in division there will be strife. Already we have had one antediluvian peer threatening to declare war on Spain.

However it makes no sense to void the result of the referendum, as that automatically gives victory to the Remain side. What does make sense is for Brexit to be debated fully and openly by our properly elected representatives. For them to be allowed to make a real choice, based on fact not rhetoric and lies.