We’re Leaving: An uncertain new dawn for Britain

Disaster, devastation, division – or wonderful opportunity?

Scotland says Stay but Britain says Leave

Britons have voted to leave the European Union. With a handful of regions still to declare it became certain at 6am that the Leave campaign has an unassailable lead with 52% of the vote. The nationwide turnout was 72%.

The reaction of the international markets has been predictable with sharp falls, and both the £ and the Euro have plummeted overnight. This will be a volatile time and a statement by The Bank of England is expected soon.

All 32 Scottish local authorities voted decisively to remain in the EU, with 62% of Scots voting to stay. Edinburgh backed Remain by 187,796 (74%) to 64,498 (26%).

The vote has reopened the constitutional debate and a second independence referendum now seems inevitable – but only when Holyrood believes that referendum can be won.

What happens next? No-one knows for sure – we are in politically uncharted waters: we have never been here before. What is certain is that the people have spoken – and that the UK government must now act on their wishes.

Sadly personalities, not policies, dominated the referendum campaign and doubtless there will now be political casualties. The result may well spark a civil war within the Conservative Party, but a snap General Election is unlikely. The British decision also throws the whole future of the EU into serious doubt.

But politicians come and go. This referendum was about Britain’s place in Europe, Britain’s place in the world. The people were given the opportunity to have their say, and by a significant enough majority they have decided they want to ‘take back control’. But in an uncertain new world that has just changed forever, just how easy that will be – and at what cost – is the acid test.