but I generally think that a lot of it was due to 'immigrants stealing our jobs' or the want to limit immigration. I think in that case that was stupid and unnecessary to have such a large scale vote, because there are there ways of limiting immigration without all of the other consequences of this vote.
Exactly this. The UK government has always had the power to limit immigration, they just never have. Leaving the EU will do nothing to change this. Many of the people who say 'immigrants are stealing our jobs' are the sorts of people who sit around all day watching tv, claiming benefits from the council. Benefits that don't go to people who actually need them. Benefits that are paid for via taxes, which come from businesses and work the immigrants do in the local area. Pretty much everyone who does come here comes to work, either for someone else as a job other people don't want to do, or to set up businesses. I'll walk through my town, and see people from all over Europe owning little shops here and there running a little business perfectly fine, as they have been for the past 20 years, paying tax, and generally enjoying a good life. This will not change. People won't leave now. Those who voted leave because of immigration will soon see that people aren't going anywhere, and they'll be annoyed.
What an absolute disappointment. I am a Swedish migrant living and going to school in Britain and now my future is uncertain. I agree with Luis and ChaosMushrooms the the the fact that migrants cannot vote is the one most undemocratic thing one of the most democratic countries in the world (in theory) could do. I am also in 100% agreement with the rest of what Luis and chaos said.
This is a prime example of someone who will be directly affected by this vote, who had little or no say in the outcome. Hundreds of thousands of people will be affected now. Consulates from pretty much every EU state have been busy this weekend full of people finding out if they are allowed to stay in the place they call home. We call this country democratic, but this vote was anything but. The people who will be affected need a say in the matter, and this did not happen on Thursday.
However, there is still some hope left, there is a petition for a new referendum with over one million signatories. Hopefully the EU will allow us to stay following a new referendum.
While I don't expect this to actually do anything, I did still sign it myself anyway. When I did, it was at 1.6 million signatures. Looking at it now, it's at 2.1 million. And it's been up 24 hours. The magic number it had to reach for it to be discussed in Parliament was 100,000. Sidenote: I urge any and every British citizen or UK resident to go and sign
this petition now. If enough people complain, something might get done. Probably not, but maybe.
Just adding that Gibraltar voted to stay (96%), Scotland voted to stay (62%), Northern Ireland voted to stay (56%), and London voted to stay (60%).
Wales voted to leave (52.5%), and every other region of England, other than London, voted to leave (each percentage in the 50s, never breaching 60%).
So, it appears that it is actually England and Wales who want to leave (minus London). If there is not another referendum (I think there will be something), I think this might just be the catalyst to tear apart the UK.
Scotland is leaving. There is no doubt about that. They'll inevitably hold a referendum, and they will almost certainly leave. Northern Island is campaigning to unite with a country they've had civil wars with, because they don't want to leave. Gibraltar is Gibraltar. It could probably gain independence if it wanted to, but nobody really knows. It's too small to have much time on the news this weekend. Interestingly, London has had a petition to become an independent city state, like the Vatican or San Marino. We all know that'd never going to happen, but 150,000 people have signed this. Yes, this is tiny compared to the population of London, but it's not negligible. There have been riots and protests today in London against the vote. Just in case Londoners didn't hate everyone else already, this will make that a certainty.
You're right though. This is tearing the country apart. Physically yes, but also within communities. People have become literal enemies over this. Communities have been split down the middle of people who support Europe and people who hate it. There is doubt over how the country will continue.
It's a very prominent story in the news right now. Most of us are just learning the finer details of it though, which apparently is exactly what is going on the the UK too...
You should be voting to abolish the monarchy, not the union with Europe.
Yes, we are just learning about the finer details. Most people did not bother to look into this before they voted. They simply just turned on the TV and let whichever politician that was on the telly at the time brainwash them to think their way is best. I assume out of the 72% of people who voted, at least 60% of the public did little or no research into the matter before. The campaigns weren't that great, and didn't do much to explain the facts. The British public should never have been given power to change something this big. While I believe in democracy and voting for issues, this is one of those things that the public should not have a direct effect on. It's too big, too political, and too much responsibility.
In terms of the monarchy, they have kept quiet since the result was announced. There was a few bits here and there from various royals about the referendum in the months before, but they're meant to keep politically neutral. Interestingly, it's possible the Queen will have to approve this vote, or any decision Parliament make about our place in the EU. While she never has done, she could theoretically decide to ignore Parliament and keep the country in anyway, and she may well have advisors discussing this now. If that happened, we'd remain in, but the monarchy would almost definitely be abolished. A civil war would be likely, and we'd be known as the "Republic of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories", which has the catch abbreviation of RESWNICDOT. Thing is, the Queen likely doesn't have much time left. She's already broken the records she can. I'd say this is a serious consideration for her. Either way, the monarchy is generally good for Britain. It brings in hundreds of pounds in tourist income and tax for every pound the government pay to them. While the country may run a bit better, the UK is one of those countries that will keep a monarchy out of tradition.
What's interesting now, is the Electoral Commission has announced they have received a very significant number of people ringing them up saying they want to change their vote to remain, after seeing the consequences of what happened. Obviously this is not allowed, but it shows that many thousands of people regret their decision, and want to remain in the EU. Additionally, Parliament could decide to ignore the will of the referendum and stay in anyway. While this would also cause controversy and complaints, it's another possible way of us staying in the EU. We just need to get MPs to campaign for that this week. Still, whatever happens, this vote has ruined our country for the foreseeable future. whether it remains in one piece, who knows. All I can say is when I come to settle down somewhere and get a job, the probability that will be outside of the uk has increased.
