Introduction

The introduction sets out the subterranean historical forces that helped to give rise to the Brexit phenomenon. The introduction explores notions of English exceptionalism and manifest destiny, which provide the theological underpinning for the rise of English nationalism. The emergence of English, and later British, nationalism is suffused by the development of the phenomenon of Whiteness and concomitant issues of privilege, entitlement and supremacy, which leads to Brexit becoming a product of Fortress Britain. The introduction outlines the means by which visible minorities are othered against the construct of entitled Whiteness, which is a manifestation of imperial mission Christianity. The introduction explores the critical intersection of Whiteness, English-British nationalism, mission Christianity and notions of post-imperial melancholy.