The United Kingdom voted in a referendum Thursday to leave the European Union, according to the United Kingdom Electoral Commission.
The Leave side garnered 51.9 percent of the vote, while the
Remain side garnered 48.1 percent, according to the Commission. The financial markets reacted quickly to the results: Around 8 a.m. local time, the British stock market plunged 7.7 percent and German index fell 10 percent, according to The Associated Press.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET), the winning side became apparent, when the Leave side had more than 17 million votes, exceeding the 16.8 million needed to win -- which is more than 50% of the vote.
Jenny Watson, chairwoman of the United Kingdom Electoral Commission soon after officially declared that the UK voted to leave the European Union. Voter turnout at 72.2 percent was very high for the UK.
National result of the #EURef announced. 48.1% remain, 51.9% leave. Our official press release here:bit.ly/28QHD95 #EURefResults
Turnout announced. Based on electorate of 46,500,001 turnout was 72.2%. Our press release here:bit.ly/28RVej0 #EURefResults
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, a proponent of the Leave movement tweeted, "We've got our country back. Thanks to all of you. #IndependenceDay."
We've got our country back. Thanks to all of you.#IndependenceDay
Farage also tweeted a video to his supporters in which he said, "We've done it..We've overturned the establishment, the big banks, the big businesses."
We have done it! #IndependenceDay
Farage was also quick to make the TV interview rounds, kicking off his morning with an apperance on "Good Morning Britain," on which he said "I almost didn't dare to dream it would happen."
Today is a victory for decent, ordinary people who have taken on the establishment and won.#IndependenceDay
England and Wales supported Leave, while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted Remain.
More than 1.6 million Scottish votes backed Remain against Leave's around 1 million Scottish votes.
More than 440,000 Northern Irish voters supported Remain and about 349,000 backed Leave.
England supported Leave by nearly 15 million votes against Remain's 13 million. London, including West Oxfordshire, home to Prime Minister David Cameron’s Witney constituency, supported Remain.
European Union officials in Brussels are trying to figure out the next steps after the UK's dramatic decision. Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission President, is hosting meetings today with the leaders of the European Council and Parliament, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency. They will attempt to agree on how to handle the vote, which could lead to a member country leaving the EU for the first time in history.
Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, tweeted his reaction, writing, "We are prepared for this negative scenario. There will be no legal vacuum." He also tweeted a video of his press conference:
My remarks on the outcome of the referendum in the UK: ow.ly/RMyg301Ayhq Video: ow.ly/QKNy301Ay8e#UKreferendum #UKref
The first results from England today showed greater than expected support for leaving. Newcastle, which was the first to declare a result in the country, voted to remain in the EU but by a very small margin: 50.7 percent voted to stay while 49.3 percent voted to Leave. Sunderland voted to Leave at 61.3 percent while 38.7 percent voted to stay.
The Bank of England said it will take "all necessary steps" to meet responsibilities for monetary and fiscal stability. At one point today, the Pound fell to $1.33, the lowest since the mid 1980s. Before the results came in, the Pound had risen as high as $1.50 because traders expected a Remain victory. But following the early results that showed stronger than expected support for Leave in north-east England it dropped to $1.43 and then took another dive after Leave continued to lead. As of 1:30 a.m. ET, the Pound was worth $1.34.
Following news of the Leave side's victory, a White House official released a brief statement: "The President has been briefed on the incoming returns in the UK referendum, and he will continue to be updated by his team as the situation warrants. We expect the President will have an opportunity to speak to Prime Minister Cameron over the course of the next day, and we will release further comment as soon as appropriate."
Have Something Interesting/Informative or your music/events you want us to Post on softnewsng?Send to 
0 Comments