I agree that he’s a laughable character but they were laughing at the very idea he might do what he was saying he was going to do, rather than taking him seriously. If they’d have taken it seriously, the UK might still be part of the EU. Shows how open and liberal their thinking is to any ideas that don’t fit their paradigm.

The far right wing stupidity needs to run its course. There's nothing outside forces could have done to prevent it, attempts by EU to steer the Brexit issue would only have led to accusations of "EU interference" and casued a stronger Brexit. A few millions dead and total destruction of QoL would generally be the usual for far right wing to run its course like in the last world wars. Immunity only develops after a dose of the disease. I am not saying I like this, it's just how it is.