The Brexit referendum is a wake-up call: If Europe doesn't bend, it'll break

On the other side are the committed federalists like European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. There’s little sign that calm and rational self-interest will guide his response to a Brexit.

Instead, he’s likely to push for more integration. Without the economic heft of Britain there to rally his opponents and make a sensible case for reform, Mr Juncker could well get his way.

Britain would be faced with an antagonistic, vengeful and protectionist empire on our doorstep, full of angry, unemployed voters and boiling nationalist forces pulling against the centre. It will be deeply unstable.

It is to avoid this awful geopolitical scenario that I will reluctantly, despite my hatred of the undemocratic, meddling, incompetent and arrogant bureaucrats of the EU, vote to Remain.