Quora Answer: Why Do Some Bangladeshi & Malaysian Citizens Who Voted “Leave” during the Brexit Referendum Feel Betrayed?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Why do some Bangladeshi and Malaysian citizens, who voted leave during the Brexit referendum, feel betrayed despite the referendum never talked about Commonwealth citizens visa status?”

People vote according to self-interest.  The average person is selfish, and prioritises his needs, and the needs of his community above others.  This is a reality.  People also vote according to their fears, and these fears are often irrational, based on ignorance and prejudice.  One of the ways to close a deal is to give people what they want, and that is what good politicians are masters at.  A good politician is not necessarily a good legislator, a good policy maker or, even a good person.  Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a good politician.  That is why, so-called gaffe after gaffe, after every revelation of malfeasance and impropriety, he is still a leading member of his party.  He is a reflection of the nature of the people.

People get the leaders they deserve.  If enough of the electorate had principles, dear old Boris would not be around after all his instances of racism, prejudice, class snobbery and deception.  That he is still there, with significant support, means that enough people share his values to support him.  People like Boris and Michael Andrew Gove appeal to the lowest common denominator of the people: their prejudice and ignorance.  They sold discrimination of EU nationals to these Malaysians, Bangladeshis, and others from the Commonwealth.  These Commonwealth citizens were stupid to not understand that he would lie to them as easily as he lied all those other times before.  We should have no sympathy for these people.