WHETHER the London Olympics of 2012 equalled the Austerity Olympics of London 1948 is a matter of debate.

Undoubtedly they were the two best ever.

Magnificent examples of how good this country can be (yes I know Olympics are awarded to cities not countries).

In 1948 we stepped into the breach and did much to heal the wounds of World War Two through sport.

For 2012 the unlikely trio of Tony Blair, Seb Coe and Ken Livingstone wheeled and dealt to secure and fund the games.

Boris Johnson said they were a waste then creamed off as much personal glory as he could.

There is argument about the sporting, economic and health legacy of the 2012 games.

There is no argument about the tremendous celebration of the Olympic sport, Britain’s great welcome to the world and enthusiastic support given to all Olympians striving to do their best.

The hospitality showered on visitors by millions of British Citizens was good for the world and tremendous for the UK.

Crowning it all was the opening ceremony full of humour, avoiding ostentation, involving thousands, demonstrating what a diverse culturemulti-cultural Britain had achieved.

It appealed to the best in us.

We felt proud and the world applauded.

Four years later this has been shattered.

The referendum appealed to the worst in our nature.

Sadly many responded to the Brexiteers message: “We want our country back.”

The United Kingdom is now perceived internationally as xenophobic, a place to be avoided and a country feared by many of its long term residents who have chosen to live here.

The slogan by consistent Brexiteers must now be: “We want our country backwards.”

Many leave voters have stated this was a protest vote, not a desire to leave.

My sympathy is with the poor people interviewed on the numerous vox pop media reviews, simplistically they thought their poverty was at an end.

They expected the foreigners would be kicked out immediately and they would be given their jobs and all the resources supposedly spent on them.

Hope must be Theresa May will show the leadership and statecraft necessary to declare: “This was a big mistake, we must vote again.”

Terry Haines

Gloucester