Brexit wins as Britain votes to leave European Union in historic referendum
LONDON: United Kingdom has voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the European Union after 43 years in an historic referendum, a BBC forecast suggests.
The broadcater said that London and Scotland voted strongly to stay in the Union but the remain vote has been undermined by poor results in the north of England.
Voters in Wales and the English shires have backed Britain exit from the EU in large numbers.Meanwhile, the pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 as the markets reacted to the results.
Referendum turnout was higher than at last year’s general election. Labour’s Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the Bank of England may have to intervene to shore up the pound, which lost 3% within moments of the first result showing a strong result for Leave in Sunderland and fell as much as 6.5% against the euro.
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage – who has campaigned for the past 20 years for Britain to leave the EU – told supporters that this will be a victory for ordinary people, for decent people.
Britain’s 27 EU partners are anxiously watching the vote, fearing the departure of the bloc’s second biggest economy would weaken Europe’s unity and influence as it grapples with the Greek financial crisis and a massive influx of refugees.
