NOW the dust has begun to settle following the EU referendum, and the light of Brexit shines down on an England not-much-changed from June 22, I have one question: Where are all the Leave voters?

In the last fortnight, in the pub, on the street, or on the water, I have managed to speak to just one person who told me they voted out. Admittedly Falmouth voted Remain, by 52 to 48 per cent, but that means at least half of those I see should be anti-EU.

Where are they hiding?

Some say they might be afraid, but why? You’re on the winning side – the majority – why should you be afraid of a lonesome, one-eyed seadog like myself?

Indeed, although the person I spoke to was well-informed, voting for political sovereignty and against EU corruption, there does seem to be a nationwide trend of some on the Leave side becoming more aggressive following the referendum.

Luckily in Cornwall we seem to have escaped the worst of the hatred that appears to have been legitimised since the vote. While not all Brexit supporters are racist, there seems to be a hardcore minority that feel 52 per cent of the country voting to leave the EU means the majority of us now also support racism: firebombing halal butchers or shouting at Polish workers to go home.

Indeed, we may have escaped the worst, but we are not immune. I have heard tell of a well-known and liked business owner in the Falmouth area being taunted by his long-term customers – people he thought he had a bond with. This poor man has been asked when he’s getting his passport, abused and unsafe in the community in which he has worked for years.

At the same time a lovely campaign has been started, urging anyone willing to stand against racism and provide a safe space for those affected to wear a safety pin on their lapel. A very British symbol of a sentiment that I’m sure pro- and anti-Brexit voters can both support.