Last week’s referendum resulted in %52 of the turnout voting “Leaving the EU”. As the country’s future is now bleak, many questions have risen in people’s minds regarding what to do now.
In a historic referendum, 52 per cent voted for the UK to leave the EU. Turnout was high at 72 per cent with 17,410,742 voting to leave and 16,141,214 voting to remain.
Commenting on the results of the referendum, Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency whistleblower, questioned whether the results of the referendum would call in to question the unity of Great Britain, given the disparities in voting patterns across the country.
IS THIS THE END OF “UNITED KINGDOM”?
He said on Twitter: “95.9% of Gibraltar voted for EU membership. 62% of Scotland. 56% of Northern Ireland. Is this the end of the UK?”
The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has already announced plans for a second referendum on Scottish independence, saying it is “democratically unacceptable” that Scotland will be taken out of the EU against voter’s wishes.
Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, has called for a poll on a united Ireland after Brexit, saying Mr Cameron made a mistake in granting a referendum on Europe in the first place.
Parts of London were overwhelmingly in favour of a Remain vote and a petition for London to join the EU independently has been created, so far amassing over 50,000 signatures
“There is no turning back” – says German PM
Angela Merkel has said there is no way to reverse the UK’s decision to vote for Brexit, calling it “wishful thinking” to suggest there is any way Britain can stay in the EU.
The German Chancellor was speaking ahead of the second day of an EU summit, which will continue without David Cameron on Wednesday.
Ms Merkel held what will be her last ever meeting with the UK Prime Minister at a Brussels summit on Tuesday, but insisted it was not a time for either sadness or anger.
Also on the agenda will be a meeting between SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels as she attempts to keep Scotland in the European Union.
The First Minister is also expected to meet European Parliament president Martin Schulz and Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister and leader of the Liberal group at the European Parliament.
It is understood European Council president Donald Tusk has no plans to meet Ms Sturgeon because he does not consider it to be the right time.
“London Remains”
Mayor Sadiq Khan appoints deputy mayor for business to safeguard jobs through Brexit fallout
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today (29 June) appointed Rajesh Agrawal as his deputy mayor for business.
Sadiq Khan has tasked Rajesh Agrawal with championing London’s interests following the EU referendum, and protecting jobs and growth while the negotiation process takes place.
The Mayor is calling for Britain and London to remain part of the European single market, and for the capital to be granted more autonomy in order to safeguard its business interests. This includes greater powers over skills, infrastructure, housing and planning.
Rajesh Agrawal, a fintech entrepreneur and innovator, is the founder and CEO of Xendpay, an international money transfer service, and RationalFX, an online foreign exchange service – both of which have grown into globally successful businesses.
Born and brought up in Indore, India, Rajesh arrived in London in 2001, and grew a two-person enterprise working from one small office into a multi-million pound business based in London, with offices in Birmingham, France and Spain.
Sadiq Khan said: “I’ve pledged to be the most business-friendly Mayor that London has ever had, and it is now more vital than ever that we act robustly from City Hall to protect our economy from the current uncertainty.
“London must stay in the single market and be given more powers to ensure we can remain competitive, in order to attract the global enterprise that London’s prosperity relies on. Having arrived in London equipped with the ambition to succeed, Rajesh has created a multi-million pound business from scratch and knows first-hand the challenges that our business leaders face, and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. I know that Rajesh is the best person for the job of protecting jobs and growth in London as we deal with the fallout of the referendum.”
