> The first exit by any nation is likely to receive poorer terms than they might expect in any subsequent trade negotions, "pour encourager les autres".

Absolutely. But someone has to be the first. Could/should it have been someone else? absolutely, but that's just how things unfolded.

> In lacking any plan, team or responsibility for the outcome we are even less likely to get good deals.

Couldn't agree more. I just think that the anti-EU themselves did not believe it would happen so fast.