The recent referendum on European Union membership has been taken by some as a signal that racial and xenophobic abuse has been legitimised. Responding to the disgraceful slogans painted on a Polish community centre in Hammersmith, west London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster condemned what he called an “upsurge of racism, of hatred towards others” as “something we must not tolerate”. He added: “This is simply not acceptable in a humane society.”

It would be simplistic to paint the outcome of the referendum as entirely a rejection of the extra migration from EU countries that has arisen from free movement of labour. The extent to which this was, nevertheless, a substantial issue can be laid at the door of some of the politicians campaigning on the Leave side – especially but not exclusively on behalf of Ukip.

The way in which the electorate split so clearly on generational lines – the younger the voter, the more likely they were to vote to remain in the EU – as well as on educational level and by social class – showed profound differences in society. These are longstanding and existed before the vote. But the referendum in effect held up a mirror to modern Britain and not only exposed its divisions, but exacerbated them. Clearly the social fabric has been torn, and repairing it has to be a major priority in the coming days and weeks.