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Version 4 Version 5
EU referendum live: Boris Johnson says no rush for Brexit as Cameron quits EU referendum live: Boris Johnson says no rush for Brexit as Cameron quits
(35 minutes later)
4.01pm BST
16:01
Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, is speaking to journalists in Washington.
She says it will take some time to work out what the UK’s relationship with the EU will be. And she welcomes the moves taken by the Bank of England today to assure the markets, she says.
3.58pm BST
15:58
Arthur Neslen
EU climate change officials are calling for an early signal of intent from a post-Brexit UK government that it will remain committed to joint European action on global warming.
Of particular interest for Europe is whether the UK shows it is still attached to last year’s Paris climate deal, the 2020 climate targets and, above all, the bloc’s carbon market, the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Committing to stay in the ETS, as non-EU countries Switzerland and Norway have done, would demonstrate that the new UK government was prepared to honour existing international agreements, sources say.
“It is not impossible to imagine that kind of overture coming from the British side,” one senior official told the Guardian. “Everything is going to be a political football now, and it is just whether we play nicely with climate policy or not. There are mutual benefits to playing nicely.”
The UK is unlikely to renege on carbon emissions reduction targets for 2020 that it has already substantially met. But the country is lagging on renewable energy goals and has credible enforcement mechanisms to rectify that have just disappeared.
3.52pm BST
15:52
Andrew Sparrow
Good afternoon. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Haroon.
The American ambassador to London, Matthew Barzun, has been tweeting about the referendum result.
Well, it’s been a big day…and as @POTUS says, our unmatched & unbreakable #SpecialRelationship will endure. https://t.co/cmOp7Gy0Xr
3.49pm BST
15:49
Alice Ross
The commuter town of Watford was England’s most divided town last night, voting to leave the EU by a majority of just 252 votes.
Local politicians describe a fractious campaign season in a town that has a long history as a bellwether, switching between Tory and Labour MPs. Ahsan Khan, a Labour councillor, said that it was “probably the most representative population in the country”, with a mix of commuters and those who work locally, and an immigrant population that is “not huge, but not small either”. He said he had suspected in recent weeks that the town would vote Leave: “We probably didn’t realise soon enough that we need to work harder.”
The local campaign was “polarised” and “passionate”, local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Johnson said. “One of my colleagues was spat at twice on a street stall. It brought out quite a lot of intolerance. It was quite bad-tempered.”
But not for everybody. Sheltering in the shopping mall from yet another downpour with their five-week-old baby, Andrea Garcia and her husband Dominic said that they had backed opposite sides. “In the last few days we were talking about it,” Andrea said, but there were “no arguments”.
Dominic Garcia, an engineer, said that when he heard the outcome, “I was - gutted’s not the word - but shocked that it’s happening.” He was concerned about “backtracking” by Leave-supporting politicians, he said, “especially about the £350m to the NHS. That was on the side of a bus and now it’s not going to happen.”
Updated
at 3.50pm BST
3.30pm BST
15:30
The Leave campaign in Wales has been holding a celebration in the city of Newport, one of the many Labour strongholds that voted out. The venue was carefully chosen – in front of a statue erected in memory of Chartism, the 19th century working class movement for political reform. The music was more obvious – the theme from the Great Escape.
Leave rally In Newport, Wales. https://t.co/2dj9flfxQJ
Nathan Gill, the Ukip leader in Wales, said the setting was significant.
Chartism was founded in Wales; it was a grassroots organisation. We have a grassroots organisation. There are people here from all political parties. There’re all kinds of different people. The Chartists knew what they wanted – the fundamental causes on their charter. We knew what we wanted, we could boil it down to one thing: we want our country back.
Leave campaigners David Davies, Tory MP, (left) and Ukip's Nathan Gill in Newport. pic.twitter.com/ZigxzjZ35r
The celebration was heckled by a passer-by who accused the Leave activists of being racists. Gill denied the accusation. He said:
We’re the party that have been saying what all these people have been thinking and worrying about for years. The number one issue throughout the whole of Wales is immigration. Let’s face it, look around, there is very little immigration. So why is it the issue? Many people in Wales go to England, they have family there, they work there. We’ve seen what has happened in England and we don’t want it to happen in Wales. People don’t want their communities changed beyond recognition. They are very happy with their communities. That’s why there is this fear. It’s based on what they have observed.
He also pointed out the empty shops near the statue.
People aren’t daft. We’re in a very depressed area. All this talk of this huge amount of EU money, where is it?
Gill was joined by Tory MP for Monmouth David Davies, who has campaigned for Leave. He said:
I think people here feel they haven’t been listened to for years. People are fed up. They haven’t been listened to on issues like immigration. They feel they have been ignored by all the political parties.
There were people of all political persuasions at the event, some of whom have been getting a tough time for supporting leave. “People have called me racist, they have been swearing at me,” said student Luke Carlmain, 27.
Labour member/Leave supporter Luke Carlmain in Newport. pic.twitter.com/3jI2aEbGtu
I’m not racist. I like immigration. I don’t want immigration to stop. I just want it controlled. I think Brussels simply has too much power.
Should the Labour first minister, Carwyn Jones, follow David Cameron and resign because of his part in the failed remain campaign?
“I’d like to see him go. I think he has to think very carefully,” said Carlmain.
Updated
at 3.37pm BST
3.24pm BST3.24pm BST
15:2415:24
Jeremy Corbyn has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury after the referendum result.Jeremy Corbyn has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury after the referendum result.
The Labour leader had been scheduled to speak on Sunday at an event called Jez We Can: Jeremy Corbyn in Conversation, which would have made him the first Labour leader to appear at Pilton.The Labour leader had been scheduled to speak on Sunday at an event called Jez We Can: Jeremy Corbyn in Conversation, which would have made him the first Labour leader to appear at Pilton.
A spokesman confirmed to the Press Association that he would be “focusing on the issues” thrown up by the “momentous” vote rather than travelling to Worthy Farm.A spokesman confirmed to the Press Association that he would be “focusing on the issues” thrown up by the “momentous” vote rather than travelling to Worthy Farm.
He is also facing a no confidence motion from two of his MPs.He is also facing a no confidence motion from two of his MPs.
3.21pm BST3.21pm BST
15:2115:21
Pamela DuncanPamela Duncan
It wasn’t just a bad night for Europhiles and David Cameron, but also for pollsters, who misread the mood of the electorate in the run-up to the vote.It wasn’t just a bad night for Europhiles and David Cameron, but also for pollsters, who misread the mood of the electorate in the run-up to the vote.
Of 168 polls carried out since the EU referendum wording was decided last September, fewer than a third (55 in all) predicted a leave vote.Of 168 polls carried out since the EU referendum wording was decided last September, fewer than a third (55 in all) predicted a leave vote.
The actual result on the night came in at 51.9% leave, 48.1% remain. Just 16 of 168 individual polls predicted a 52:48 split in favour of leave.The actual result on the night came in at 51.9% leave, 48.1% remain. Just 16 of 168 individual polls predicted a 52:48 split in favour of leave.
Polls did give a sense of the swing to leave in the first weeks of June, but edged back to favour remain in the final days before the vote. Just two of six polls released the day before the referendum – those carried out TNS and Opinium – gave leave the edge.Polls did give a sense of the swing to leave in the first weeks of June, but edged back to favour remain in the final days before the vote. Just two of six polls released the day before the referendum – those carried out TNS and Opinium – gave leave the edge.
3.15pm BST3.15pm BST
15:1515:15
Saeed Kamali DehghanSaeed Kamali Dehghan
Two senior Iranian officials reacted with glee at the Brexit vote, although there has not been an official statement from the administration of President Hassan Rouhani.Two senior Iranian officials reacted with glee at the Brexit vote, although there has not been an official statement from the administration of President Hassan Rouhani.
Hamid Aboutalebi, a senior political aide to Rouhani, said on Twitter:Hamid Aboutalebi, a senior political aide to Rouhani, said on Twitter:
A big earthquake has shaken Europe and England has left the EU, the stars of the EU’s flag are falling down.A big earthquake has shaken Europe and England has left the EU, the stars of the EU’s flag are falling down.
The economic developments in the countries situated in the southern Europe and the immigration crisis show that the [European] union is collapsing and Brexit has triggered the domino effect [of this collapse].The economic developments in the countries situated in the southern Europe and the immigration crisis show that the [European] union is collapsing and Brexit has triggered the domino effect [of this collapse].
The leaving of England from the EU is a historic opportunity for Iran and we should make the most out of this new opportunity.The leaving of England from the EU is a historic opportunity for Iran and we should make the most out of this new opportunity.
Deputy chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Massoud Jazayeri, was quoted by the Fars news agency as saying that “the European Union is a pawn in the hands of America”. He added:Deputy chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Massoud Jazayeri, was quoted by the Fars news agency as saying that “the European Union is a pawn in the hands of America”. He added:
England should pay the price of years of imperialism and committing crimes against humanity. The people of Ireland, Scotland and others have the right to bring themselves out of the tyrannical rule of the [British] monarchy, the so-called Great Britain.England should pay the price of years of imperialism and committing crimes against humanity. The people of Ireland, Scotland and others have the right to bring themselves out of the tyrannical rule of the [British] monarchy, the so-called Great Britain.
3.09pm BST3.09pm BST
15:0915:09
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
Michael Sani from youth voter movement Bite the Ballot said he understood the feelings of helplessness and anger from the younger generation but that turnout had been affected by the direction of both campaigns.Michael Sani from youth voter movement Bite the Ballot said he understood the feelings of helplessness and anger from the younger generation but that turnout had been affected by the direction of both campaigns.
If no one inspires you, that is how you end up being marginalised, divided and fearing. This generation are so passionate, they care so much about issues but they are just not empowered to use the means of communication to get through to make real change. Both campaigns have been a disaster in terms of meaningful engagement on such complex issues.If no one inspires you, that is how you end up being marginalised, divided and fearing. This generation are so passionate, they care so much about issues but they are just not empowered to use the means of communication to get through to make real change. Both campaigns have been a disaster in terms of meaningful engagement on such complex issues.
There was still opportunity to make the issues that the younger generation care about a priority during the Brexit negotiations, Sani said.There was still opportunity to make the issues that the younger generation care about a priority during the Brexit negotiations, Sani said.
What people need to do now if they are angry is harness that feeling, these negotiations are still to come, and young people need to be at the table or they will end up being on the menu yet again.What people need to do now if they are angry is harness that feeling, these negotiations are still to come, and young people need to be at the table or they will end up being on the menu yet again.
3.07pm BST3.07pm BST
15:0715:07
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and columnist Gary Younge are taking live questions on the referendum result now.The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and columnist Gary Younge are taking live questions on the referendum result now.
3.02pm BST3.02pm BST
15:0215:02
Here is a Guardian video of European leaders, including Jean-Claude Juncker, who said the UK must act on the vote “as soon as possible, however painful that process may be”.Here is a Guardian video of European leaders, including Jean-Claude Juncker, who said the UK must act on the vote “as soon as possible, however painful that process may be”.
2.58pm BST2.58pm BST
14:5814:58
Hillary Clinton: 'time of uncertainty'Hillary Clinton: 'time of uncertainty'
Like Obama, Hillary Clinton has responded to the Brexit vote by reaffirming the special relationship with the UK. She has also used it as an opportunity to take a swipe at her rival for the US presidency, Donald Trump, calling for “calm, steady, experienced leadership”:Like Obama, Hillary Clinton has responded to the Brexit vote by reaffirming the special relationship with the UK. She has also used it as an opportunity to take a swipe at her rival for the US presidency, Donald Trump, calling for “calm, steady, experienced leadership”:
We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made. Our first task has to be to make sure that the economic uncertainty created by these events does not hurt working families here in America. We also have to make clear America’s steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe. This time of uncertainty only underscores the need for calm, steady, experienced leadership in the White House to protect Americans’ pocketbooks and livelihoods, to support our friends and allies, to stand up to our adversaries, and to defend our interests. It also underscores the need for us to pull together to solve our challenges as a country, not tear each other down.We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made. Our first task has to be to make sure that the economic uncertainty created by these events does not hurt working families here in America. We also have to make clear America’s steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe. This time of uncertainty only underscores the need for calm, steady, experienced leadership in the White House to protect Americans’ pocketbooks and livelihoods, to support our friends and allies, to stand up to our adversaries, and to defend our interests. It also underscores the need for us to pull together to solve our challenges as a country, not tear each other down.
2.52pm BST2.52pm BST
14:5214:52
Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has welcomed “commitments” from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB) to try to shore up the markets. She said:Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has welcomed “commitments” from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB) to try to shore up the markets. She said:
We take note of the decision by the people of the United Kingdom. We urge the authorities in the UK and Europe to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition to a new economic relationship between the UK and the EU, including by clarifying the procedures and broad objectives that will guide the process.We take note of the decision by the people of the United Kingdom. We urge the authorities in the UK and Europe to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition to a new economic relationship between the UK and the EU, including by clarifying the procedures and broad objectives that will guide the process.
We strongly support commitments of the Bank of England and the ECB to supply liquidity to the banking system and curtail excess financial volatility. We will continue to monitor developments closely and stand ready to support our members as needed.We strongly support commitments of the Bank of England and the ECB to supply liquidity to the banking system and curtail excess financial volatility. We will continue to monitor developments closely and stand ready to support our members as needed.
2.47pm BST2.47pm BST
14:4714:47
A Channel 4 correspondent in Barnsley, Yorkshire, where 68% voted to leave, has been interrupted by people shouting “send them home”.A Channel 4 correspondent in Barnsley, Yorkshire, where 68% voted to leave, has been interrupted by people shouting “send them home”.
Been standing here five minutes. Three different people have shouted "send them home". pic.twitter.com/cVvmYvC73oBeen standing here five minutes. Three different people have shouted "send them home". pic.twitter.com/cVvmYvC73o
2.44pm BST
14:44
The Nasdaq, like the Dow Jones, is down significantly:
BREAKING: Nasdaq seeing worst drop since Nov, 2011 » https://t.co/TGMGUaWBm7 pic.twitter.com/VhBwryqrdz
2.41pm BST
14:41
Constanze Letsch
The Turkish prime minister, Binali Yildirim, said that the European Union needed to carefully reconsider its political vision after Britain’s exit vote.
“The EU should read this development very carefully and reassess its vision for the future,” Yildirim said in a televised speech on Friday.
Turkish EU minister Ömer Celik brushed aside fears that the UK exit would spell yet more trouble for the country’s stalled EU accession talks, as Britain had previously been one of the strongest supporters of a Turkey membership. He said in a TV broadcast:
We expect that a more realistic union will emerge after this. There will be more opportunities and new possibilities for Turkey. Whatever will happen next, it will be better for Turkey. As a European power and a European democracy we will keep watching this process.
Co-chair of the main opposition Republican People’s party (CHP) Öztürk Yilmaz criticised the strategy to vilify Turkey as part of the referendum campaign. The Brexit camp had argued that Turks were inherently disposed to criminality and that all of them were desperate to come to the UK, whereas David Cameron had suggested that Turkish membership was not even “remotely on the cards” and that the country may not join until the year 3000.
All throughout the campaign, those lobbying to leave and those lobbying to remain in the EU used Turkey in a disgusting way. It was a vile campaign. They made Turkey the scapegoat and demonised [the country]. We were very uncomfortable with the way this bad Turkey campaign was used in UK politics.
Updated
at 2.55pm BST
2.37pm BST
14:37
Dow Jones plummets 500 points
The US stock exchange has experienced a sharp fall on opening.
Dow opens down over 500 points. #Brexit
2.34pm BST
14:34
Heather Stewart
Sajid Javid, the business secretary, is spending the day in a “calming operation,” speaking to business groups to reassure them that Britain won’t be leaving the EU overnight.
“He’s saying, ‘let’s not rush into anything; let’s stay calm and try and do our best with this situation: we need to do our jobs,” said a department for business source.
2.33pm BST
14:33
In a text less than an hour after the victory for leave was declared, the Sun’s editor Tony Gallagher told the Guardian: “So much for the waning power of the print media.”
The Guardian’s head of media, Jane Martinson, writes:
The Sun, which came out last week with a union jack-draped front cover urging its readers to “BeLeave in Britain” and at 6am on Friday published “See EU later”, did not rise against the EU alone. British newspapers were overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit, with the Mail, Telegraph, Express and Star accounting for four times as many readers and anti-EU stories as their pro-remain rivals.
“If you believe in Britain, vote leave,” urged the Mail on Wednesday, lambasting the “lies” and “greedy elites” of a “broken, dying Europe” on its front page.
Such headlines were not just the hallmark of an increasingly bitter referendum campaign – with its relentless focus on anti-immigration stories – but came after years of anti-EU reporting in most of the British press.
In February, the Mail front page asked simply “Who will speak for England?”, highlighting the causes of independence and nationhood that have so helped the leave campaign. As the UK considers the far-reaching consequences of leaving the EU, it seems as good a moment as any to consider who has now spoken for England – the people alone or a Eurosceptic press that has campaigned against Brussels for decades.
2.29pm BST
14:29
Obama: 'special relationship will endure'
The US president, Barack Obama, has said that Britain will remain a key ally, as will the EU:
The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond. The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world.
2.26pm BST
14:26
Sam Jones
In an address to the Gibraltar parliament, the chief minister, Fabian Picardo, hit back angrily at Spain’s suggestion that the Brexit vote should give rise to joint sovereignty of the territory.
He said:
Let me be absolutely clear. Despite the noises that are bound to be made by some in the neighbouring nation - indeed, some have already been made this morning - this government is confident in the support from the British government that there will be not talks - or even talks about talks - against the express wishes of the people of Gibraltar in respect of the sovereignty of Gibraltar.
In a dig at Spain’s acting foreign minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, he added:
So let others make irrelevant noises about flying flags over a rock if they want to waste their breath. Such ideas will never prosper. Gibraltar will never pay a sovereignty price for access to a market. Gibraltar will never be Spanish in whole, in part or at all. So I ask all our citizens to ignore these noises. Our work will be focused on the more pressing issues before us. Redirecting and protecting our economy are what we must all now focus on.
2.24pm BST
14:24
Ian Cobain
A private exit poll conducted on Thursday by the businessman Lord Ashcroft showed that there was no difference between male and female voters – but very sharp differences between voters according to age, ethnicity, education and personal wealth.
Most of those working full- or part-time voted to remain, for example, while most of those who are not working wanted to leave. More than half of those on a personal pension voted to leave, a figure that rose to two-thirds of those on a state pension. Some 55% of those who own their homes outright voted to leave.
The older the voter, the more likely they were to vote to leave: 60% of those aged 65 or more voted to leave, while nearly three-quarters of 18-to-24-year- olds voted to remain.
A large majority of those whose formal education ended at secondary school level voted to leave, while 67% of those with a university degree and 64% with a higher degree voted to remain. More than four-fifths of those voters still in full-time eduction voted to remain.
Among those voters describing themselves as white, 53% voted to leave. More than two thirds of Asian voters and almost three-quarters of black voters wanted to remain. Some 58% of voters who described themselves as Christian voted to leave, while 70% of Muslims voted to remain.
Analysis of voting patterns according to occupation showed that the so-called AB voters – people engaged in professional and managerial work – voted 57% to 43% in favour of remaining in the EU, while C1s – clerical and junior managerial workers – were divided evenly and C2DEs - skilled or unskilled white-collar and manual workers and those receiving benefits - voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit.
Ashcroft’s poll also showed that the majority of voters thought the remain campaign would win, including among those who voted to leave.
Updated
at 2.34pm BST
2.14pm BST
14:14
The Guardian has charted David Cameron’s years as prime minister “from fresh-faced upstart to European failure”.
2.06pm BST
14:06
Sam Jones
Spain’s acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has sought to allay fears over Brexit’s consequences for Britons in Spain and Spaniards in the UK.
The leave vote has shocked many of the 300,000 Britons who are officially registered in Spain, particularly older expatriates who rely on the Spanish health system for medical care.
In a televised address on Friday, Rajoy said the EU treaties governing Britain’s relations with the rest of the bloc would remain in force while London negotiates the terms of its exit – a process he said could take “at least two years”.
Their rights to move freely, to work, to pay social security contributions, to receive pensions, to invest, to vote or be elected in local elections will not be affected at all. The same applies to the rights of British citizens who live or work in our country or in the rest of the EU.
Pablo Iglesias, leader of Spain’s anti-austerity party Podemos tweeted that it was a “sad day for Europe”, adding: “No one would want to leave a fair and supportive Europe. We have to change Europe.”
The fate of Gibraltar appeared less clear after Spain’s acting foreign minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, said the leave vote had brought the prospect of a Spanish flag flying on the rock of Gibraltar closer.
Updated
at 2.12pm BST