If nothing else, chrissa's best answer well demonstrates the human preference for and therefore the inevitable success of vilification of someone/something resulting among the majority in the style of shunning witnessed among die-hard religious sects - the act (of vilification), even when quietly stated (almost unnoticed although deep-rooted) takes on distinctly religious tones and passion. Brexit is just another entry in the catalogue. Calls for tolerance, co-operation, etc. will often work only for a limited time because a combination of vested interests and bigotry have a very good chance of getting the upper hand - but not among everyone all the time. The simple fact is that, as much as the UK incessantly commemorates/celebrates some aspect of past wars on pretty much a weekly basis (saying daily would be going too far), disagreement/division/conflict does/do not serve humanity well and in the end lasting agreement and unity is the answer. Until that is promoted with at least equal fervour to the opposite, life will be a series of hard lessons.