Imagine having a referendum on the restoration of the death penalty, which is approved by votes. Then a stupid law would then be included on the statute book. Now the referendum – like the Brexit referendum – would not specify the detail.

Imagine a future illiberal government deciding to use such a referendum vote to make the theft of a joint of meat a criminal offence. Two strikes and your head is in the noose. Parking on double yellow lines? Make that subject to this death referendum law. Ridiculous? Tell that to Turkish people and the Polish people too. They are moving from the world of fact to amazing and horrifying fantasy. Politicians can mould a simple advisory referendum into anything they choose.

It’s easy to hold a referendum but much harder to anticipate the consequences. So my lesson to Malta and indeed the UK is never ever hold a referendum. If you do so then expect horrid consequences.