Dunkirk reveals the spirit that has driven Brexit: humiliation | Rafael Behr

The national shame of 1940’s disorderly retreat from Europe was felt again when Britain joined the EEC in 1973. And that emotion still burns• Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnistIt would be consistent with a certain kind of Britishness for the nation to ruin itself through sheer embarrassment. Having gone to the trouble of voting to leave the EU, a change of heart would just be too awkward: like complaining about a haircut while still in the chair. So we watch the mirror in mounting an