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EU referendum live: Boris Johnson says no rush for Brexit as Cameron quits EU referendum live: Britain counts cost of Brexit vote
(35 minutes later)
5.10pm BST
17:10
12 unions 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.
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.
5.01pm BST
17:01
Owen Bowcott
Loss of UK sovereignty was one of the Brexiters’ chief complaints in the referendum campaign and their resentment of foreign laws was aimed squarely at the European court of justice in Luxembourg. So now that the UK has voted to leave the EU what happens next?
The EU’s highest court, whose rulings are currently binding on British judges and parliament, became the object of venomous rhetoric during the campaign. Those attacks may now intensify.
The justice secretary and leave campaigner, Michael Gove, denounced the Luxembourg courtas a vehicle for giving the EU “more power and reach than ever before”.
Boris Johnson’s wife, Marina Wheeler QC, published an influential article in February entitled Cavalier with our Constitution criticising the “jurisdictional muscle-flexing of the court in Luxembourg” since the EU’s charter of fundamental rights came into force in 2009. The court, she added, acts “capriciously not judiciously”.
And in a joint statement earlier this month, the leaders of Vote Leave pledged to “regain the power to deport terrorists and terrorist sympathisers and stop violent criminals entering the UK – powers that EU law currently denies to us.”
They would, the Vote Leave leaders said, “immediately end the application of the EU’s charter of fundamental laws. This charter gives the rogue European court practically unlimited powers to extend its jurisdiction. By ending its application in UK law, we will take back control of how Britain implements the crucial 1951 UN convention on refugees and end the charter’s ability to affect immigration and asylum law.”
One impact of the Brexit vote is that judgments from Luxembourg will eventually no longer apply to the UK. A judgment on bulk interception of communications data by GCHQ, the government’s monitoring agency, is due imminently.
But the impact could come before the end of the two-year process of Brexit renegotiation. In the aftermath of the leave vote, rulings could be challenged in parliament and by Eurosceptic lawyers even before the UK formally cuts its ties with Brussels. Those British judges already serving in Luxembourg are likely to stay in the court for their remaining period of service.
And the consequences of the leave vote are likely to take years to work through, as MPs assess which elements of EU law should be preserved, and which rejected. The European arrest warrant is one of the continental law and order agreements that may have to be re-examined. London’s planned status as home to one of the main registries for a European unified patent court will now also be in doubt.
Perhaps the biggest question for UK citizens though is what happens to the rights and legal protections that are currently afforded by EU membership. That is an open question that was barely touched on by the leave side during the campaign beyond broad statements of reassurance.
Philip Kolvin QC of Cornerstone Barristers, who is an expert in licensing, said: “The consequences for our legal system have barely figured in [the debate]. But EU-inspired or mandated legislation is part of the bedrock of societal protection. Are these protections to be thrown onto a bonfire of laws? If not, which are to survive and which are to be replaced, and if so by what?”
Updated
at 5.09pm BST
4.46pm BST
16:46
My colleague Ewen MacAskill has joined the (very, very long, and mostly honourable) list of people who have been insulted by Donald Trump.
It goes without saying that Trump is wrong.
Funny thing is this exchange was w/@ewenmacaskill, an awesome reporter who may literally be the nicest guy in media. https://t.co/RKR7RIHJXp
4.39pm BST4.39pm BST
16:3916:39
Europeans working in London have reacted to the referendum results with shock.Europeans working in London have reacted to the referendum results with shock.
4.34pm BST4.34pm BST
16:3416:34
Groups of 16 and 17-year-olds have been outside Downing Street protesting about the result, my colleague Ione Wells reports.Groups of 16 and 17-year-olds have been outside Downing Street protesting about the result, my colleague Ione Wells reports.
Many displayed banners saying, “where was our vote” and “it’s our future”. Several of the teenagers they quoted other rights they have at sixteen and referenced the Scottish referendum, asking why they were not allowed to vote in a decision that would have a “huge impact on our futures”. Many displayed banners saying, “where was our vote” and “it’s our future”. Several of the teenagers quoted the other rights they have at 16 and referenced the Scottish referendum, asking why they were not allowed to vote in a decision that would have a “huge impact on our futures”.
“We are out here today, which shows we have political beliefs and know how to express them”, one said. Another commented how she believed the result could have been significantly different were 16-year-olds allowed to vote, citing the 75% of 18-35 year olds who voted to remain. “We are out here today, which shows we have political beliefs and know how to express them,” one said. Another commented how she believed the result could have been significantly different were 16-year-olds allowed to vote, citing the 75% of 18-35 year olds who voted to remain.
Ben, 26, sitting outside the gates of Downing Street protesting the result, said: Ben, 26, sitting outside the gates of Downing Street protesting against the result, said:
I should have been here a week ago, well, not here in London. We won comfortably here - but elsewhere, further afield, now I feel like we are all living with the result of not doing more while we could. I should have been here a week ago, well, not here in London. We won comfortably here – but elsewhere, further afield, now I feel like we are all living with the result of not doing more while we could.
He told the Guardian that for him the referendum, “was not about economics, or migration, alone. It is about the sort of society, world and Europe that I wanted Britain to help create and maintain in the future”. He told the Guardian that for him the referendum “was not about economics, or migration, alone. It is about the sort of society, world and Europe that I wanted Britain to help create and maintain in the future”.
Ultimately, he said, he was very disappointed that the result was largely due to fears of immigration. “That makes me very sad”, he continued, “because endless studies have shown that migrants contribute more than they take out.” Ultimately, he said, he was very disappointed that the result was largely due to fears of immigration. “That makes me very sad,” he continued, “because endless studies have shown that migrants contribute more than they take out.”
Updated
at 4.56pm BST
4.18pm BST4.18pm BST
16:1816:18
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, used a speech earlier today to launch a strong attack on Jeremy Corbyn’s conduct during the election campaign.Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, used a speech earlier today to launch a strong attack on Jeremy Corbyn’s conduct during the election campaign.
With politicians of all parties working together, one of the things that stood out in this campaign, was Jeremy Corbyn’s bizarre refusal to share a platform in the face of the greatest challenge our country was faced in a generation.With politicians of all parties working together, one of the things that stood out in this campaign, was Jeremy Corbyn’s bizarre refusal to share a platform in the face of the greatest challenge our country was faced in a generation.
I have stood alongside Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman, Chukka Umunna, Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan.I have stood alongside Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman, Chukka Umunna, Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan.
Great progressive Labour politicians that I admire – forced to campaign with their hands tied behind their back because of short-sighted demands from their leader’s office.Great progressive Labour politicians that I admire – forced to campaign with their hands tied behind their back because of short-sighted demands from their leader’s office.
Where was the leader of that party?Where was the leader of that party?
Even when the future of our country depended on him, he could not bring himself to reach across the aisle.Even when the future of our country depended on him, he could not bring himself to reach across the aisle.
When the call went out for help, Jeremy Corbyn refused to answer.When the call went out for help, Jeremy Corbyn refused to answer.
The once-proud working class Labour vote has abandoned Corbyn in droves.The once-proud working class Labour vote has abandoned Corbyn in droves.
Great Labour cities have been driven into the arms of Ukip and Nigel Farage.Great Labour cities have been driven into the arms of Ukip and Nigel Farage.
It is clearer than ever that Jermyn Corbyn has more concern for his own position in his own party, rather than his country.It is clearer than ever that Jermyn Corbyn has more concern for his own position in his own party, rather than his country.
Farron also urged people who wanted “a new modern breed of politics – liberal, hopeful, international, rational – driven by real British values” to join the Lib Dems.Farron also urged people who wanted “a new modern breed of politics – liberal, hopeful, international, rational – driven by real British values” to join the Lib Dems.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.24pm BSTat 4.24pm BST
4.08pm BST4.08pm BST
16:0816:08
Labour says government should abandon its budget surplus targetLabour says government should abandon its budget surplus target
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has put out a statement saying the EU referendum vote represents “a decisive rejection of the Conservative’s economic policy, resulting in stagnant real wages for a decade and widespread disaffection where people have not shared in prosperity”. He said the government should abandon its budget surplus target for 2019-20, launch an investment programme and give up plans to have an emergency austerity budget.John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has put out a statement saying the EU referendum vote represents “a decisive rejection of the Conservative’s economic policy, resulting in stagnant real wages for a decade and widespread disaffection where people have not shared in prosperity”. He said the government should abandon its budget surplus target for 2019-20, launch an investment programme and give up plans to have an emergency austerity budget.
He said:He said:
Labour will not allow any instability to be paid for by the working people of this country. There is no justification or mandate whatsoever for an emergency austerity budget. We need a clear programme of action to protect our economy.Labour will not allow any instability to be paid for by the working people of this country. There is no justification or mandate whatsoever for an emergency austerity budget. We need a clear programme of action to protect our economy.
4.01pm BST4.01pm BST
16:0116:01
Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, is speaking to journalists in Washington.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.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 BST3.58pm BST
15:5815:58
Arthur NeslenArthur 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.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).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.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.”“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.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 BST3.52pm BST
15:5215:52
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good afternoon. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Haroon.Good afternoon. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Haroon.
The American ambassador to London, Matthew Barzun, has been tweeting about the referendum result.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/cmOp7Gy0XrWell, it’s been a big day…and as @POTUS says, our unmatched & unbreakable #SpecialRelationship will endure. https://t.co/cmOp7Gy0Xr
3.49pm BST3.49pm BST
15:4915:49
Alice RossAlice 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.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 to leave: “We probably didn’t realise soon enough that we need to work harder.”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 to 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.”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”.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”.
On hearing the outcome, Dominic Garcia, an engineer, said: “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.”On hearing the outcome, Dominic Garcia, an engineer, said: “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.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.12pm BSTat 4.12pm BST
3.30pm BST
15:30
The Leave campaign in Wales has been holding a celebration in 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 4.09pm BST
3.24pm BST
15:24
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.
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.
3.21pm BST
15:21
Pamela 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.
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.
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 BST
15:15
Saeed 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.
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.
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.
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.
3.09pm BST
15:09
Jessica 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.
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.
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 BST
15:07
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and columnist Gary Younge are taking live questions on the referendum result now.
3.02pm BST
15:02
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”.
2.58pm BST
14:58
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”:
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 BST
14:52
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:
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.
2.47pm BST
14:47
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/cVvmYvC73o