And Leavers ‘aren’t so different’

national identity, they showed more than 50 per cent similarity.

With responses from more than 1,700 people who completed online questionnaires, the findings point to high similarities across fundamental values such as security, tradition, helpfulness and freedom.

The team behind the study hope the results can help recast the long-standing debate that has played out between the two camps by offering a more nuanced and realistic picture for most people in society.

Lead researcher Dr Paul Hanel, from the University of Essex, said: “It has been claimed the EU referendum of June 2016 revealed a divided, rather than a United Kingdom,

with growing tensions among those who voted ‘leave’ and those who voted ‘remain’.

“Previous research has concentrated on the differences between the two sides, but our study shows that, in fact, there is more to unite them than divide them.”

The research also assessed whether presenting a more balanced picture that highlights similarities instead could improve social cohesion. The team found support for the idea that accentuating such similarities can encourage Leavers and Remainers to get along better.

Co-author Dr Lukas Wolf, from the University of Bath, said: “Many people seem to be worried about an increasingly fractious society and therefore it is encouraging to see that people are actually quite similar.”

Around three million Brexit 50p coins will meanwhile start showing up in people’s pockets and wallets when they enter banks, post offices and shops from today.

Another seven million of the coins, minted to mark the UK’S departure from the EU, will enter circulation later this year.

People who do not want to wait to spot a Brexit 50p in their loose change could go online instead and buy a commemorative coin.

The Royal Mint has produced versions for sale that range from £10 for a brilliant uncirculated 50p to £945 for a limited edition gold coin.