In a result that has left many political observers stunned, British voters today decided to split from the European Union, walking away from a partnership of over 20 years because of an immigration focused scare campaign whipped up by far-right politicians.
The official results of the poll were declared early Friday morning, UK time, with Britons voting to leave by 52 to 48 per cent.
Over 33 million votes were cast.
How the poll worked.
Voters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland went to the polls on June 23, and were asked the pretty simple question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”.
While not a binding referendum, the British Government has committed to honouring the result, despite Prime Minister David Cameron being against any move to leave the EU.
British or Irish citizens who live in the UK, Commonwealth citizens (including of course, Australians) who are residents of the UK, British citizens who live overseas but have been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years and Irish citizens living overseas who were born in Northern Ireland and who have been registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years were all eligible to vote.
That amounts to some 46 million people.
So, why did they vote to leave?
The European immigration crisis has caused an anxious debate in Britain as the European economy has struggled.
Since the economic meltdown of 2008, and the financial catastrophe in Greece, anxiety has grown about the benefits of remaining a part of the Union.
But the real kicker has been an aggressive negative campaign fueled by fear of immigration, and right-wing political parties linking terrorism and surging refugee numbers in the EU.
Nigel Farage, the leader of the conservative UKIP party has been at the forefront of the leave campaign, pushing an anti-immigration message hard.
Top Comments
This is a wake up call to the left just as Trump is in the US.
Instead of trading blows with the bullying left the people are using a little thing called democracy.....and it's a beautiful thing.
I have to agree and I must say I am very surprised at the foot stomping and dummy spitting that the left has carried on with since! The people voted and its their voice that matters!
I have been following this closely on social media as my father's side has strong ties to the UK and I spent some of my childhood there, I haven't known what to think.
I am definitely on the side of the remain camp...however...
Some of the stuff I am seeing posted is starting to get nasty and border on elitism. The fact is that the people of a nation should have some say in the way their country is run in terms of borders. Obviou people feel like they were not being listened to. Being labelled morons, racists and bigots only stifles the conversation and if 17milion people feel that way they should be listened to.
And seriously, complaining that you now need a visa to get into other parts of Europe when working classes in the UK are suffering from austerity measures just makes you sound like a knob!
Also complaining the vote was unfair to youth as the under 25 turnout was low makes young people sound like lazy knobs.