Britain has voted in favour of leaving the EU on an unprecedented night in British politics.
In a move that will have far-reaching effects not just for Ireland but for international relationships and the global economy, the people of the United Kingdom have opted to leave the EU by a margin of 52% to 48%.
Votes were frantically counted in polling areas across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Leave camp won it by a margin of just over one million.
UK votes to #Leave EU. Follow continuing coverage & reaction to historic #Brexit votehttps://t.co/jo2sWrtAoS pic.twitter.com/Ccc4wursK4
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 24, 2016
Gibraltar and Newcastle were the first two results in just before midnight for Remain which gave the Stay campaign hope that a victory could be won.
Huge swathes of London, South Wales, Northern Ireland and all 32 areas of Scotland voted the same way.
But this polling map shows it’s Middle England and the North that swung it for the Leave campaign with areas including Boston and Thurrock seeing nearly three-quarters of people voting to exit the EU.
This graph from the Financial Times illustrates just how divided Britain was on the EU issue…
FT graphic showing just how divided we are pic.twitter.com/JUswOl08Xu
— Patrick Smith (@psmith) June 24, 2016
Stock markets were sent tumbling around the world and the pound plunged to its lowest level since 1985 on the back of the news.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who was one of the figureheads of the Leave campaign, was feeling pretty happy with himself this morning…
We've got our country back. Thanks to all of you. #IndependenceDay
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 24, 2016
We have done it! #IndependenceDayhttps://t.co/C96aoqlnpM
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 24, 2016
Many supporters of Brexit were equally overjoyed with the seismic result of the referendum…
https://twitter.com/rigb/status/746218181220413440
https://twitter.com/beccadominiqe/status/746218175465820160
If the EU didnt morph from a trade bloc into a some form of uber-Govt people felt alienated from this day wouldnt have happened #Brexit
— Scott (@MadMaclegend) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/jllundqu/status/746218169577046016
But some understandably grim reactions to the news from those who voted to remain…
https://twitter.com/SqlBoy/status/746218179458793472
"Britain is a tolerant and progressive country" – you can throw that in the bin.
— Ben Kilbride (@benkilbride85) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/c88_jones/status/746218170113896449
Thanks Britain for bringing chaos to Europe. Much obliged. Hope the EU takes the appropriate actions #Brexit #Consequences #visasforbrits
— Tom De Meyer (@tdemeyer) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/ClarityOffline/status/746218180482240512
Evidence is piling up just hours after the result that we've just nuked ourselves with Brexit, as Remain tried to warn everyone. #EUref
— Danielle Blake (@abradacabla) June 24, 2016
If the UK was a ship, half the crew just hacked a huge hole in the hull with pick axes & just said not to worry, it might not sink #Euref
— Andy 🍩 (@OrientMeatPie) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/jyoppiplaysgame/status/746218175700697088
It's the end of Europe as we know it. #brexit
— Ulrica_T (@ulrica_t) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/SophieMoraveg/status/746218173284782081
So what now? 😦 #Brexit
— Asia Jane (a harrow+tower princes stan account) (@asiajane_leigh) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/stribs/status/746218172617887744
Yet some people tried to remain upbeat about Britain leaving the EU…
https://twitter.com/AllegroAgenda/status/746218182243819521
https://twitter.com/kangkanB/status/746218181350428672
Martin McGuinnes has called for a Northern Ireland border poll as a result.
Northern Ireland receives considerable funding from the EU in support of the peace process. #EURefResults #Brexit https://t.co/ZDAqjjjKd5
— Her.ie (@Herdotie) June 24, 2016
