Singer: Even with a deal, Brexit will be a long, slow decline. It’s pitiful

Many of the English towns and cities where The Proclaimers are now playing to big audiences are in the heart of what Charlie says is,“Brexit country and in some areas UKIP country”.

And Brexit is a topic that still troubles him greatly.

“It’s the worst decision taken in my lifetime by the British electorate,” says Charlie. “It’s the most profound thing since WWII, bigger than the Suez Crisis.

“We got our backsides kicked at Suez.

“With this one, we’re retreating deliberately. I find that sad and I think we will regret it. Falling out without a deal would be really damaging, but even with a deal it’ll be a long slow decline. I think it’s pitiful.

“That’s what people down south voted for and that’s what we are going to get.”

What concerns Charlie is the perception other countries have of Britain as a result of the vote to leave the EU.

“It’s the sort of thing people in Britain used to look elsewhere and think, ‘What on earth are you doing?’” he says.

“They’d look at the likes of Argentina decades ago and not understand why they couldn’t sort out their society. I don’t think we’ll go down the route of dictators, but the way politicians down south don’t appear to listening to the people anymore is distressing to me.

“I think it might very well be one of those things where you act in haste and repent at leisure.”