EU referendum: Britain votes to leave

Economy

World / Countries / MNCs

24 Jun 2016, 06:31 am Print

London, June 24 (JEN):Despite a close battle, Britain has voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum on Thursday as results were declared on Friday, thus severing a tie of decades and dealing a blow to the European unity.

While Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned hard urging voters to remain with EU, will make a statement soon, the financial markets across the world nosedived as the results reflected a 51.8 percent votes in favour of Leave and 48.2 percent to Remain in a referendum that is now famously called Brexit.

However, London has overwhelmingly voted in favour to remain in the European Union (EU).

"The pound surged as polls closed before falling to its lowest level since 1985, on signs of a Leave victory," BBC reported.

"Scotland and Northern Ireland appear to have opted for Remain and London has voted emphatically to stay in the EU," it said.

British PM David Cameron thanked earlier for voting in the historic referendum held on Thursday.

"Thank you everyone who voted to keep Britain stronger, safer & better off in Europe - and thousands of @StrongerIn campaigners around the UK," he tweeted.

Britons voted on Thursday to decide on whether the UK will remain a part of the 28-member European Union even as the outcome is crucial for Prime Minister David Cameron and his continuing in office.

The "Leave" or "Remain" campaign, which is also now termed as Brexit or British Exit from the EU, gained momentum as the world watched what the Britons decided since it will impact the global economy in a big way.

The former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is Cameron’s possible successor as party leader, had led the Leave campaign, along with several serving Cabinet members.

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