Brexit has encouraged an eruption of nasty nativism. Why is anyone surprised by this?

Even in an age of ridiculousness there is something preposterous about the sight of so many prominent Leavers clutching their pearls in horror as they contemplate the possibility – the real possibility – that Andrea Leadsom could become the next leader of the Conservative party and, by golly, Prime Minister too.

I mean, where do they think she came from? Who created her? Mrs Leadsom’s credentials to occupy the highest political office in the land come down to one single fact: she is the most virulently eurosceptic candidate available. That’s a powerful thing, however, and those Leavers who think their creation can be safely kept in the laboratory may yet have cause to regret their complacency. Because it’s not as easy as that. Sometimes things escape.

84 Tory MPs endorsed Leadsom yesterday. Think on that for a moment (weeping is permitted, too). If you think reactionary euroscepticism can be kept quiet you are, I fear, deluding yourself.