In being surprised by the EU referendum result, Obiter was in good company. Ipsos Mori’s chief predicted 53% remain and a few acquaintances lost actual pounds sterling (now devalued) to a bookmaker.

With two comment pieces on the Gazette website – one backing Remain, the other Leave – it would have been instructive to look at the readership figures, which turned out to be a better bellwether than the polls.

At midday, reflecting a perceived late campaign surge for Remain, figures were 50.1% ‘remain’ and 49.9% ‘leave’, with the lead reaching 51% to 49%. But with good weather supposedly favouring the ‘in’ vote, when the heavens above Gazette Towers opened ‘out’ went – and stayed – ahead on 50.5%. Not quite the final result, but near as dammit.

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