The Conversation (0)
LBC radio host James O'Brien, who has emerged as one of the most sharp and withering critics of the madness of Brexit over the last three years, may just have found the perfect analogy for Nigel Farage's Leave Means Leave March.
The protest, which set out from Sunderland on Saturday heading for Westminster, is spearheaded by the ex-Ukip leader, who represents a hugely diminished figure compared to the triumphant party leader he portrayed raising a pint in celebration on 23 June 2016 when the country narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU.
How long ago those days now seem.
Sunderland was chosen as the starting point for Farage's long walk to oblivion because the north east city has been harder hit than most by the decline of industry, with Nissan's announcement in February it would be relocating its manufacturing operations to Kyushu in Japan because of Brexit the latest hammer blow to a proud local community.
Social media users have been quick to satirise the bleakness of the march and how poorly-attended it has been in its opening days.
Perhaps even adamant Brexiteers were put off by the £50 fee Farage was charging "core marchers" for the privilege of joining him in the drizzle.
Sick of the sight of it all, O'Brien told his listeners today:
It's the best illustration of Brexit you'll ever see.
60 or 70 poor souls abandoned in the weather by wealthy business, media and political figures who are back in London, dry, warm and wealthy.
Building momentum, he went on:
And yet, still they trust, still they believe. I don't get it. How much more evidence do you need that the people you trusted did not deserve your trust and the people you derided and dismissed were sticking up for your interests all along.
How do they keep getting away with it? The people who told you this was a stupid thing to do could not have been proved more right.
And yet, still the invitation to blame it on the people who told you we could have our cake and eat it, the people who said we would be inhabiting the sunny uplands, the people who told you that they needed us more than we needed them, the people who told you that the German car industry wouldn't countenance any form of Brexit at all that damaged their interests, the people who told you that it would be the easiest deal in human history.
O'Brien's words might not be so affecting if the tone of resignation and dismay in his voice were not so utterly sincere and heartfelt.
More: Brexit: James O'Brien tears apart argument on walking away from EU negotiations
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