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United Kingdom

EU-friendly London shocked after UK votes for Brexit

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By Sarah Chappell
EU-friendly London shocked after UK votes for Brexit

Euronews correspondent Sarah Chappell reported from London on Friday evening, the day after the UK’s historic referendum on EU membership: “Across the UK, British people are coming to terms with the knowledge that the country’s future lies outside the European Union.

We're going to carry on being the greatest city in the world

“Here in London, there is shock, disbelief and disappointment. While the UK as a whole voted ‘Out’, the capital resolutely had voted to stay ‘In’.”

In the 23 June referendum, the UK voted to leave the EU by 52 percent to 48 percent.

Leave won the majority of votes in England and Wales, while Scotland voted for Remain.

London, too, stood apart – voting overwhelmingly for Remain.

Only five of the London’s 33 boroughs voted to leave the EU.

“I’m really concerned about the future of this country now. I think it’s a mistake”, one Londoner said.

“I don’t think it should have been a referendum in the first place – because very few people indeed are qualified to make an intelligent, informed decision. People have just gone on their gut reaction.”

London is one of the most cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse cities in the world. But it now faces a future isolated from the EU.

The British capital recently elected a Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is keen to stress the city’s openness.

“My message to Londoners who are European is: you’re welcome here,” Khan said in a statement on Friday.

“We’re going to carry on being the greatest city in the world, being open-minded and outward-looking.”

On Friday, a #Londependence online petition was started – with supporters calling for the capital to break away from the UK and become an independent state.