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EU referendum live: Britain counts cost of Brexit vote
EU referendum live: Juncker calls for immediate start to Brexit negotiations
(35 minutes later)
8.06pm BST
20:06
More quotes from President Obama are now emerging. He, too, is calling for Britain’s special relationship with the US to persist.
While the UK’s relationship with the EU will change, one thing that will not change is the special relationship that exists between our two nations. That will endure. The EU will remain one of our indispensable partners.
7.58pm BST
19:58
The Pentagon has sought to calm fears for the special relationship after the Brexit vote, insisting that the United States is confident Britain will remain a strong ally in Nato, which “will continue to perform its very important function”.
7.52pm BST
19:52
Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, has called for Brexit negotiations to start straightaway, arguing that there is no need to wait until October.
He told Germany’s ARD television station:
Britons decided yesterday that they want to leave the European Union, so it doesn’t make any sense to wait until October to try to negotiate the terms of their departure. I would like to get started immediately.
He said the EU would pursue a “reasonable approach” in negotiating the separation. “It’s not an amicable divorce, but it was not exactly a tight love affair anyway.”
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7.39pm BST
19:39
President Obama has paid tribute to David Cameron at a summit in California.
David has been an outstanding friend and partner on the global stage and, based on our conversation, I’m confident that the UK is committed to an orderly transition out of the EU.
We agreed that our economic and financial teams will remain in close contact as we stay focused on ensuring economic growth and financial stability.
I then spoke to Chancellor [Angela] Merkel of Germany and we agreed that the United States and our European allies will work closely together in the weeks and months ahead.
I do think yesterday’s vote speaks to the ongoing changes and challenges that are raised by globalisation.
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7.38pm BST
19:38
The mayor of Calais has raised the prospect of migrants camped in Calais could be sent to the UK as a result of Brexit because it could see the unravelling of the border deal that currently keeps many of them in France.
Natacha Bouchart told French broadcaster BFM TV:
The British must take on the consequences of their choice.
We are in a strong position to push, to press this request for a review and we are asking the president to bring his weight [to the issue].
We must put everything on the table and there must be an element of division, of sharing.
This echoed calls from Xavier Bertrand, the centre-right president of the Hauts-de-France region, who tweeted: “The English wanted to take back their freedom, they must take back their border.”
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7.10pm BST
7.10pm BST
19:10
19:10
The US would have preferred a remain vote, the US vice president, Joe Biden, has said on a visit to Ireland.
The US would have preferred a remain vote, the US vice president, Joe Biden, has said on a visit to Ireland.
In a speech at Dublin Castle, he attacked “reactionary politicians and demagogues peddling xenophobia, nationalism and isolationism” and said the US wanted to keep growing economic ties with the European Union.
In a speech at Dublin Castle, he attacked “reactionary politicians and demagogues peddling xenophobia, nationalism and isolationism” and said the US wanted to keep growing economic ties with the European Union.
Of course, yesterday a majority of the British people voted to leave the European Union, and as longstanding friends of the United Kingdom, the United States respects their decision.
Of course, yesterday a majority of the British people voted to leave the European Union, and as longstanding friends of the United Kingdom, the United States respects their decision.
[It is] not how we would have preferred it to be. But we respect their position.
[It is] not how we would have preferred it to be. But we respect their position.
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6.22pm BST
6.22pm BST
18:22
18:22
After cancelling his planned appearance at Glastonbury, Jeremy Corbyn is now believed to be preparing to give a speech tomorrow morning instead.
After cancelling his planned appearance at Glastonbury, Jeremy Corbyn is now believed to be preparing to give a speech tomorrow morning instead.
Amid moves to depose him as Labour leader, a source says he intends to set out a “Labour vision for the future” following the Brexit vote.
Amid moves to depose him as Labour leader, a source says he intends to set out a “Labour vision for the future” following the Brexit vote.
6.21pm BST
6.21pm BST
18:21
18:21
Andrew Sparrow
Andrew Sparrow
Jeremy Corbyn has given an interview to Channel 4 News. He urged Dame Margaret Hodge to withdraw her no confidence motion.
Jeremy Corbyn has given an interview to Channel 4 News. He urged Dame Margaret Hodge to withdraw her no confidence motion.
Margaret is obviously entitled to do what she wishes to do. I would ask her to think for a moment: a Tory prime minister resigned, Britain’s voted to leave the European Union, there are massive political issues to be addressed - is it really a good idea to start a big debate in the Labour party when I was elected less than a year ago with a very large mandate – not from MPs, I fully concede and understand that, but from the party members as a whole?
Margaret is obviously entitled to do what she wishes to do. I would ask her to think for a moment: a Tory prime minister resigned, Britain’s voted to leave the European Union, there are massive political issues to be addressed - is it really a good idea to start a big debate in the Labour party when I was elected less than a year ago with a very large mandate – not from MPs, I fully concede and understand that, but from the party members as a whole?
But Ben Bradshaw, the Labour former culture secretary, has just told Sky News that Corbyn should resign. He said that David Cameron had taken responsibility and resigned, and that Corbyn should do the same.
But Ben Bradshaw, the Labour former culture secretary, has just told Sky News that Corbyn should resign. He said that David Cameron had taken responsibility and resigned, and that Corbyn should do the same.
Jeremy is a decent man. He believes in the interests of the Labour party and I think the wise thing for him to do now would be to reflect, do the honourable thing and step down, and let us go forward under a new leadership.
Jeremy is a decent man. He believes in the interests of the Labour party and I think the wise thing for him to do now would be to reflect, do the honourable thing and step down, and let us go forward under a new leadership.
That’s all from me. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over.
That’s all from me. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over.
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6.13pm BST
6.13pm BST
18:13
18:13
The Labour MP Graham Jones has said he is “inclined” to back Dame Margaret Hodge’s motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn. He said:
The Labour MP Graham Jones has said he is “inclined” to back Dame Margaret Hodge’s motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn. He said:
Vast swathes of white working-class voters, particularly north of the Trent, turned their backs on our message and our leader. I want a damn good explanation from Jeremy Corbyn as to why we ended up in this mess. If I am not satisfied, I will support the motion.
Vast swathes of white working-class voters, particularly north of the Trent, turned their backs on our message and our leader. I want a damn good explanation from Jeremy Corbyn as to why we ended up in this mess. If I am not satisfied, I will support the motion.
The Labour MP Stephen Kinnock has backed the no confidence motion too.
The Labour MP Stephen Kinnock has backed the no confidence motion too.
6.02pm BST
6.02pm BST
18:02
18:02
The referendum results means that the prospect of a third runway being built at Heathrow must now be slim. The Davies commission said it should go ahead last year, and the government was due to make a final decision soon after the referendum. But the leave vote means it is likely that David Cameron will be replaced by Boris Johnson, a strong opponent of a Heathrow third runway.
The referendum results means that the prospect of a third runway being built at Heathrow must now be slim. The Davies commission said it should go ahead last year, and the government was due to make a final decision soon after the referendum. But the leave vote means it is likely that David Cameron will be replaced by Boris Johnson, a strong opponent of a Heathrow third runway.
John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, said:
John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, said:
Brexit must cast doubts on whether a third runway at Heathrow will ever be given the green light. The prime minister and the chancellor have lost the fight of their lives. Outers like Boris Johnson, who is fiercely opposed to Heathrow expansion, have won. At the very least, a decision on a new runway must now be up in the air.
Brexit must cast doubts on whether a third runway at Heathrow will ever be given the green light. The prime minister and the chancellor have lost the fight of their lives. Outers like Boris Johnson, who is fiercely opposed to Heathrow expansion, have won. At the very least, a decision on a new runway must now be up in the air.
The Davies commission said a new runway at Gatwick would be an acceptable alternative. That is an option Johnson could support.
The Davies commission said a new runway at Gatwick would be an acceptable alternative. That is an option Johnson could support.
5.56pm BST
17:56
Here is the Guardian Politics Weekly podcast, with Tom Clark, Heather Stewart, Matthew D’Ancona, Hugh Muir and Jennifer Rankin discussing the referendum.
Related: Britain votes for Brexit – Politics Weekly podcast
5.52pm BST
17:52
Jeremy Clarkson, who backed remain in the referendum, has told the nation that it is just going to have to “make this shit shower work”.
Right. We should have 24 hours of despair and moaning, and then we will all have to roll up our sleeves and make this shit shower work.
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5.50pm BST
17:50
Rajeev Syal
Responding to the statement from the 12 union leaders who are defending Jeremy Corbyn (see 5.10pm), Dame Margaret Hodge told the Guardian that they were showing themselves to be out of touch with the views of their own members.
This has been a tumultuous referendum which has been a test of leadership. Jeremy has failed that test. There will be a series of incredibly important decisions and negotiations with the EU over the next few year. Are we really saying that we send Jeremy Corbyn on our behalf? Does he have the necessary qualities? There is probably going to be a general election within a year. Do we want Jeremy Corbyn to lead us in to that election?
He has shown us that he can’t do it. We have someone in the position of leader who has shown that he can’t lead.
5.41pm BST
17:41
A desperate scramble for EU passports is under way after Britain voted to leave the union. There has been a spike in the number of online searches for “getting an Irish passport”, and some European citizens publicly offered themselves – probably jokingly – in marriage, my colleague Luke Harding reports.
Related: Brexit vote sparks scramble for European passports
5.41pm BST
17:41
Hannah Ellis-Petersen
“That’s it, I think we should declare Glastonbury an independent nation-state.” As word of the referendum results slowly rippled across the festival campsite on Friday morning, bleary eyed campers grappled both with hangovers and the realisation that they were unzipping their tents to a UK changed forever. And for the many of the 180,000 ticket-holders who were firmly in the remain camp, talk soon jokingly turned to “Glexit”.
It was a noticeably sombre mood that gripped Worthy Farm as the first acts of the festivals took to the stage under darkening clouds. The 50-piece Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, accompanied by Blur frontman and founder of the African Express project Damon Albarn opened the Other Stage. Albarn did not mince his words as he spoke of his anger at the referendum results.
“I have a heavy heart today,” he said to the gathered crowds. “Democracy has failed us. Democracy has failed us because it was ill informed. And I want all of you to know that when we all leave here, we can change that decision. It is possible.”
It was a strangely uplifting performance, as the audience were reminded there are places in the world worse to be even than a broken Britain.
“It’s really emotional. It suddenly brings it all to the front of your mind how united we should be, when you consider what these people from Syria are going through,” said Tanya Chesworth.
“That made my Glastonbury. It’s brought unity after what we have woken up to,” said Mitch Pendered, who lives in Switzerland but comes from Devon and voted remain.
The political mood also gripped other stages. As Novelist, the grime artist, took to the stage he started up a rousing chant of “Fuck David Cameron”, while the guitarist from rock band James told the crowd: “It is with incredible sadness that we stand here today, unified in sadness that our country has turned on people. Fuck them!”
“It’s like Yugoslavia without the bombs, a country disintegrating,” said Robert Smith from Swindon.
Spirits were also not lifted by the weather, which by midday had turned to torrential rain and did little to improve the treacherously muddy conditions underfoot.
The Other Stage was almost an hour late opening and logistical difficulties meant the controversial women-only Sisterhood stage, which was due to host various female-led performances and even a twerking workshop, was still not open on Friday.
The seismic referendum aftermath also led to the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, pulling out of his appearance at the Left Field tent on Sunday, with a spokesperson saying he was focusing on “momentous” results.
Nonetheless, Corbyn’s continued popularity with young voters was re-affirmed as mere mention of his name in the tent prompted a huge cheer.
And while many festivalgoers tried to focus their efforts on forgetting politics for the rest of the weekend, throwing themselves into watching acts such as Skepta, Sigur Rós and headliners Muse, the Left Field remained a hive of heated political discussion.
Speaking before his performance, Glastonbury stalwart Billy Bragg offered a call to arms to the young generation, the majority of whom voted to stay in the EU. Admitting he had not voted when he first got the vote in 1979, Bragg said now was not the time for political apathy.
“My guess is there’s a lot of young people who woke up this morning thinking ‘there’s absolutely no way this country would be so stupid to vote us out’,” he said. “You probably thought there’s no point in going to the polling station, I’ll let someone else do that. I’m not here to condemn them, after I made the mistake I got stuck into the fight. So now it’s your job to get stuck in.”
A message echoed by Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norfolk South, who called for “progressives” to “rebuild”, “be resolute” and help him make the world know that “the England Nigel Farage represents is not the UK I want to be part of”.
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5.38pm BST
17:38
Momentum, the Labour organisation for Jeremy Corbyn supporters, has started an online petition supporting him. This is from James Schneider, Momentum’s national organiser.
This is a time for Labour to be united.Sign our petition for unity and in support of the leadership: https://t.co/2cr1Zkbzqz
5.32pm BST
17:32
Hodge says EU referendum was a 'test of leadership' and Corbyn failed
The Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge has told Sky News that she is is tabling a motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn because the EU referendum was a “test of leadership” and Corbyn failed.
The European referendum was a test of leadership and I think Jeremy failed that test. He came out too slowly, he was very half-hearted about his attempts to campaign and Labour voters simply didn’t get the message. I hope, in the context of a secret ballot, that there will be overwhelming support for this motion I am putting and Jeremy will do the decent thing and resign.
Some other Labour MPs have backed the move.
Chris Leslie, the former shadow chancellor, said:
Every MP is going to have to search their conscience about it but I think I would need an awful lot of persuading to have confidence in Jeremy’s leadership going into a general election.
Caroline Flint, the former minister, said:
The truth is that Jeremy’s leadership doesn’t seem to be reaching out to those parts of Britain, those parts of the Labour vote we depend on to win a general election.
Ann Coffey, who has seconded Hodge’s proposal for a no-confidence motion, said Corbyn needed to take responsibility for what had happened in the referendum.
[Corbyn] needs to know that a substantial number of the parliamentary party have no confidence in his leadership and he needs to consider that and consider whether it is tenable to be leader when his parliamentary party does not support him.
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5.20pm BST
17:20
Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, has told the BBC that David Cameron was right to announce that he is standing down.
I think it’s very sad that David has decided he has to go. I think he made the right decision. I think he had no choice.
Major praised Cameron for his achievements with the economy.
I think when people look back on his premiership they will see quite a few things.
Upon the day he became prime minister our economy was on the precipice, our banks were very close to collapse, and the forecast was dire. We now have one of the strongest economies, our banks are much better prepared now than ever before to face any of the difficulties that will lie ahead, and I think that is very much to David Cameron’s credit.
Major also said that Cameron’s social agenda had been “very progressive” and that introducing marriage equality was a major change.
Many people didn’t like it, but there were many others who felt life was very harsh about their personal preferences, who will look back and say he brought a breath of fresh air and freedom to our lives that we hadn’t had before. I think that is a very remarkable record, and I think he’ll be remembered for it.
5.10pm BST
17:10
12 union leaders tell Labour MPs not to try to depose Corbyn
The main trade unions affiliated to Labour have put out a joint statement saying MPs should not try to depose Jeremy Corbyn. The statement does not actually mention Corbyn by name, but it says a “manufactured leadership row” would be an indulgence the party cannot afford.
It says:
The prime minister’s resignation has triggered a Tory leadership crisis. At the very time we need politicians to come together for the common good, the Tory party is plunging into a period of argument and infighting.
In the absence of a government that puts the people first Labour must unite as a source of national stability and unity. It should focus on speaking up for jobs and workers’ rights under threat, and on challenging any attempt to use the referendum result to introduce a more right-wing Tory government by the back door.
The last thing Labour needs is a manufactured leadership row of its own in the midst of this crisis and we call upon all Labour MPs not to engage in any such indulgence.
The statement is signed by the general secretaries of 12 unions: Len McCluskey, Unite, Dave Prentis, Unison, Tim Roache, GMB, Dave Ward, Communication Workers Union, Brian Rye, Ucatt, Manuel Cortes, Transport Salaried Staffs Association, Mick Whelan, Aslef, Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union, John Smith, Musicians’ Union, Gerry Morrissey, Bectu, Ronnie Draper, BFAWU, Chris Kitchen, National Union of Mineworkers.
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5.04pm BST
17:04
The Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), the pro-Brexit leftwing group, has put out a statement calling for an early general election. This is from its chair, the former Labour MP Dave Nellist.
TUSC opposes the EU as an ‘employers union’, implementing Thatcherism on a continental scale, and we welcome the decisive rejection of it in the referendum.
This was a revolt against a system that is not delivering for the majority of working class people and many middle class people too.
But Britain’s political and economic establishment no more defends the interests of the majority than the EU does and the vote for change that was expressed in Thursday’s poll will not be met by replacing one ex-Eton schoolboy with another.
The labour and trade union movement must follow up this massive vote of no confidence in the Tory government and demand a general election now.
