I am writing this as a former British Diplomat of 14 years and a visiting fellow and post-graduate lecturer in International Relations at a number of British Universities.

I used to give regular BBC radio interviews about global affairs, but have distanced myself in recent years, in favour of a gentler life in the West of England.

Consequently, I rarely give my views these days, but that doesn't mean I don't try and keep up with what's going on in the world around me.

In a break from this, I would like to express my deep concern over what is happening in Britain and in Europe.

The maxim "divide and conquer" or "divide and rule" is well known, and used by Napolean, Julius Caesar and referred to in the Art of War (1521).

The meaning is fairly obvious - gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into pieces that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.

It seems fairly clear to me, that if one were to want to reduce the power of Britain and Europe - the best way to achieve this would be to first internally polarise a nation (the UK) and then fuel its divorce from the EU. Both entities are weakened and destabilised.

I'm not one for conspiracies - I tend to believe that cock-ups are usually the more rational explanation.

But, in terms of power strategies, it seems plain to me that external forces, money and interference are at play in the whole Brexit debacle.

It's a clear "divide and conquer" plan.

It started when the nation was asked, quite unfairly to cast a vote whether we should leave the EU or not.

Despite my background and knowledge in international relations, I knew it was a far too complex question to answer with a simple yes or no.

But the UK did answer that question, and the population formed themselves into angry tribes of Leavers and Remainers.

We become vocal and polarised in our new camps and have started to attack one another under the guise of our separate identities.

Our Parliament has become a laughing stock. It was a false division and we are weakened as a result.

It's high time we focused our efforts on tackling those outside powers that have sought to divide us.

We need a strategy of unity, reconciliation and steadfastness, before they break us entirely.

Please reassure me, that there are others already thinking like me...and that I don't have to break away from my quiet life in the west to make this happen.