In the frontispiece to Voltaire's book on Newton's philosophy, Voltaire's lover Émilie du Châtelet appears as Voltaire's muse, reflecting Newton's heavenly insights down to Voltaire. 1738. Wikicommons. Public domain.
One of the consequences of Brexit which is difficult to measure is how it has altered British self-perception and Britain’s image in the rest of the European Union. Despite the slogans about ‘Global Britain’, near-caricature nostalgia for a more glorious and simpler time was omnipresent during the campaign and arguably played a large role in securing a victory for the Leave vote.
The English (and to a lesser degree the other nations of the United Kingdom) were perceived as retreating upon themselves and turning their back on a common European destiny. The referendum and its ensuing political ramifications have left very few in Europe desiring to emulate the example set by Brexit.
