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UK votes to leave the EU in historic referendum

The UK has voted to leave the European Union after 43 years in an historic referendum. Leave won by 52% to 48%.

  • David Cameron has announced he will resign as prime minister in October.
  • Nicola Sturgeon has said another independence referendum in Scotland is highly likely.
  • Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said that voters have "spoken clearly" and the government's job is to "get on with that decision, protecting the economy and doing all we can to get the best outcome for Britain"
  • The pound fell to its lowest level in 31 years
  • Nigel Farage told supporters that June 23 should go down as "our independence day"
  • Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland contributed significantly to the Remain vote across the UK and the Scottish people "see their future as part of the EU"
  • Britain's vote to leave the EU has "very significant implications" for Ireland, its government said
  • Sinn Fein has called for a referendum on a united Ireland
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Lib Dem leader 'devastated and angry' at EU vote result

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron has said he is "devastated and angry" at the EU referendum result.

Tim Farron said the EU referendum result has left the UK 'deeply divided'. Credit: Geoff Caddick / PA Wire

I am devastated and I am angry. Today we wake to a deeply divided country.

Nigel Farage’s vision for Britain has won this vote, but it is not a vision I share.

Young people voted to remain by a considerable margin, but were out voted. They were voting for their future, yet it has been taken from them.

Even though the result was close, there is no doubt that the majority of British people want us to leave.

Our fight for an open, optimistic, hopeful, diverse and tolerant Britain is needed now more than ever.

Together we can still make the case for Britain’s future with Europe, as millions of people voted for it. Together we cannot afford to let that vision to die.

This self-inflicted wound will be Cameron’s legacy. This is his failing. And when the call went out to Jeremy Corbyn, he refused to answer. Their self-interested political maneuvering has taken our country to the brink, and we are toppling over the edge.

The Prime Minister must now act quickly to steady the economy, reassure the markets, and immediately set a new course. If he cannot do this immediately, there is no possible way he can remain in office.

The Liberal Democrats will continue to stand and fight for a better kind of Britain than the one painted by the leave campaign - tolerant, openhearted, optimistic and outward looking. If you are as angry and heartbroken as I am, I need you to join us today.

– Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron
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UK votes to leave the EU in historic referendum

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