The British never accepted the fact that they are no longer an empire. They believe they can still rule the world as they used to do in the past, and they keep the Commonwealth up and running in spite of its little significance as a reminder of what used to be – with the hope that one day the empire will return to its normal splendour.

Tough luck, it won’t.

But, in their collective minds, they still think that everyone must do as they say, including the European Union. Most of all, they cannot fathom that small countries, including the Malta they ruled for 164 years, are now sitting at the same table and have an equal voice to theirs. This is, after all, why Malta wanted to join the EU in the first place, in spite of the opposition from detractors who are now saying it would be suicide for Malta to leave.

Britain’s marriage to the EU – then known as the EEC – was made more than 40 years ago, but it was never consummated. European Commission President Juncker spelt it out perfectly when he said that the EU-Britain split will "not be an amicable divorce" — adding that it was never "a tight love affair anyway”.

Today, one really wonders what made Britain join in the first place. They were sceptical about everything that was discussed and decided in Brussels. Just think of their refusal to join the eurozone as well as to sign up as part of the Schengen Treaty.

So in spite of what was said before the British voted last Thursday, it was not really a surprise that they opted out.

The thing is, now that they have chosen to leave the EU, they do not know what to do. They chose to jump out of the EU airplane, but they did not realise that they do not have a parachute.

And now, incredibly enough, those who campaigned to leave are seeking the EU’s assistance to cushion the fall. They expect to hold on to the good things of the EU without having to encumber themselves with the challenges. They want to retain the benefits of being part of a solid political and economic bloc without the weight of membership. Their intention is to stick to whatever suits them but without the burden of the rules that has kept the union going for 60 years.

Talk about having the cake and eating it.

The EU should be tough with Britain. The EU should not accept any imposition from a country that no longer wants to be part of the team. The EU has a collective responsibility towards the people of the 27 nations that want to remain, and it is the interests of the 27 nations that come first, not those of Britain. If the EU is soft with Britain, it will encourage others to seek what Britain is aiming for now.

One day, the Brits will regret their decision. Some already are. They will search for a morning after pill, but they will not find one.

And Europe should not have pity.