John was ranting about “Roy tinkering with the system,” a common phrase in the local Cockney dialect which denotes discontent with the opaqueness of modern European politics, particularly in the post-Treaty of Rome context.  While I am personally a big fan of the European Union and its achievements, it looks good if I point out in a condescending way that I do genuinely understand why the working classes are dissatisfied with it. 

But, and there’s always a “but” after those declarations of sympathy for the concerns of the lower classes, as well as a question: Isn’t that more a symptom of the inability of politicians to explain to the simple folk why the EU is good for them? 

In fact, trying to understand attitudes to the EU referendum through the prism of class is misleading.  As most commentators would tell you, class has nothing to do with it and, in fact, class has never played an important role in British politics or society historically.  Most people don’t even know which class they’re in and many can be members of the higher and lower classes simultaneously, such as Lord Alan Sugar, the world-famous working class millionaire. 

This fluidity in class identity, however, contrasts sharply with the fierce ethnic rivalry within this ancient kingdom.  The Norman conquest of England in the 11th century left deep scars and created divisions between the Norman invaders and the local Anglo-Saxon population that continue to this day. 

The persistence of legends like Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, describing native Anglo-Saxon resistance to the Normans, attests to this fact.  When Anglo-Saxons in Britain today look at the EU, they don’t see a modern political union but the lingering face of Norman occupation.  The persistence of this ancient Norman/Anglo-Saxon rivalry in modern-day Britain manifests itself most fiercely today in the realm of soccerball, which is a local sport played on grass fields.  The local championship is followed by millions of zealous fans who support their teams religiously.  It is dominated by Anglo-Saxon teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle; as well as the Norman clubs Chelsea, Tottenham Spurs, and above all, Arsenal. 

Arsenal has won many trophies over the years, but nothing really important over the last decade or so.  The club however continues to be universally loathed by Anglo-Saxon fans, not least because of its long-time French (the modern word for Norman) manager Arsène Wenger and the large number of French players who have played for the club over the years.  It is also hated for its slick, irritating style of soccerball, which betrays a quintessentially Norman form of nihilism.  This style contrasts with the more muscular and intense Anglo-Saxon approach to the game that shuns all aesthetic considerations. 

Unsurprisingly, Wenger is a vocal supporter of the Remain campaign and Britain’s continuing membership of the EU.  In fact, many of the leaders of the Remain camp are of Norman origin, while most of the leaders of the Leave campaign are Anglo-Saxon.  The notable exception is Nigel Farage, a politician of Norman extraction who argues that Normans and Anglo-Saxons should put their differences aside and focus on antagonizing foreigners instead.