The trouble is, to quote Will Self, "not all who vote Leave are racists, but all racists will vote Leave." There is absolutely no doubt that an ugly taint of xenophobia has run throughout the campaign. (And if you are in any doubt, just wander onto the Daily Mail's online pages...Check out the "Comments" section in particular.) Many people have been motivated by nothing more profound than a deep hatred of anyone perceived to be an immigrant. Anyone whatsoever - not just EU migrants, but also anyone who looks different. Hence the abuse that some Asian people have received, along the lines of "you've got to go back where you came from." (Do some people actually think the Indian sub-continent is part of the EU?) Others clearly think they have voted to keep out Syrian and Afghani refugees...again, since when have those countries been part of Europe?
The most scary thing is the prospect of "referendum contagion", whereby the whole union fractures and far-right, nationalist groups rise to power after successful campaigning on racist platforms. That's not just a left-wing nightmare - some very sober, conservative economists have warned against it, and there is a very real danger that it could happen. We could again face the horror of fascist governments in Europe, and the nations at each other's throats. Maybe not right away, and it may be that our children are the ones who have to face it, but we will be the ones who started the ball rolling.