Since the referendum I have received numerous telephone calls and e-mails from friends and colleagues who are EU nationals as well as from friends in America and Commonwealth countries who are mystified at the result. They have seen the Leave vote as a vote for xenophobia, racism, a “little Englander” mentality, withdrawal from the world stage and a rejection of Europe by the UK. In my judgment nothing could be further from the truth. Let me explain why. Even for those who campaigned and voted for Leave, the result of the recent UK referendum was a great shock. The referendum…