As reverse ferrets go, it is strictly of the rapid reaction variety. Sun columnist and prominent Brexit cheerleader Kelvin MacKenzie has said he now feels “buyer’s remorse” over the vote to leave the EU and is “fearful” of what lies ahead.
MacKenzie, who edited the Sun between 1981 and 1994, was an enthusiastic supporter of the paper’s editorial line that the UK should vote for its own “independence day” and offered up “10 reasons why you must vote Brexit”.
Now he’s not so sure, he writes in today’s edition of the Sun.
A "lob it in" school of journalism from Sun dinosaur Kelvin MacKenzie. Then "reverse ferret" pic.twitter.com/84wvoUyvGs
— Joe Public (@jpublik) June 27, 2016
“When I put my cross against leave I felt a surge as though for the first time in my life my vote did count. I had power.
“Four days later, I don’t feel quite the same. I have buyer’s remorse. A sense of be careful what you wish for. To be truthful, I am fearful of what lies ahead.”
The former Sun editor was given short shrift on Twitter.
Someone should tell Kelvin Mackenzie you can't have buyer's remorse if you're one of the people doing the selling. #EUref
— Rick W-T (@DiscoRick84) June 27, 2016
It's amazing to think we can put a man on the Moon and never thought to make that man Kelvin Mackenzie. https://t.co/f1rFmfsUnD
— Fraser Campbell (@FraserC69) June 27, 2016
"I am fearful of what lies ahead." Kelvin Mackenzie .. chief brexiteer. #Boorach
— Craig Munro (@Fankledoose) June 27, 2016
MacKenzie thinks he might not be alone in his U-turn, asking readers to email him if they agree. “Be interested to hear your thoughts,” he added.
Among his 10 reasons for voting leave – apart from getting rid of Scotland, cutting immigration and exporting a load of foreign criminals – was the “most important one … [We] will have our democracy back. If we don’t like a policy, we can change it.”
Now MacKenzie doesn’t like Brexit. But can he change it?