Journal #8715

As someone who doesn't keep up with... anything, what is the significance of (and reason for) this event?

So, not willing to be in the EU is xenophobic, short-sightened and dishonest? Like the Swiss and the Norwegians are?
I'm not British so I don't have to judge what they choose for their country and I don't have a stand on this matter. There are (valid, ot xenophobic) arguments for both side. Fact is, Scotland chose to stay in the UK and the UK chose to leave Europe. I can't stand for seeing people, especially non-British ones, almost insulting the "Leave" voters.

@Jessie: I believe the biggest factor for the "Leave" camp were the immigration policies, which in the UK had given the non-english speakers a head start and a guaranteed job somewhere. It was only a matter of time before it would bubble up.

As for UK outcome, unless the rest of EU countries follow their path, they will most likely going to be bombarded with whatever sanctions can circumvent WTO (World Trade Org.) by EU, not because it would be needed, but because lack of common sense and empathy.

You know, even though it doesn't affect me at all, I was relieved when Scotland voted to stay in the UK a few years ago. I guess because it's been part of the UK as long as I can remember, and from this side of the Atlantic it just seemed natural.
Now, though, after seeing the results of THIS referendum, I wish Scotland had left. It's obvious to me now that Scotland's political values don't match up with the rest of the UK, and the UK's economy is about to sink like a stone with Scotland forcibly attached.

Spare a thought for those of us who LIVE in England and voted to stay in the EU...

If I wanted to remain the EU now, I would have to leave England, my homeland, which I presume will now become a lot harder to do.

Only if Donny Fart becomes president... which doesn't bear thinking about...

Honestly this would be funny in a strategy-simulation game, but this is reality and it's sad.
I always disliked one time voting or referendums. It's basically rolling a dice that can negatively impact people's lives.

I'm sad to see this happen. The EU has increased trade between its member countries and if Europe is going to stay as peaceful as it is, that trade will have to continue. I'm also disappointed because I've been thinking of spending one semester at a foreign university and Scotland would have been my first choice of country. I hope the inevitable changes in regulation won't make that too cumbersome.

I can sympathise with people who are against centralisation of power, but surely it's better to try to change the EU from within than to have little to no influence over its policies when you'll still have to adopt many of its policies in order to be allowed to stay in the EEA or enjoy a treatment similar to its members'?

EU should of been a free market to get the flow of goods and qualified workers going, nothing else. While living in an era of hidden political agendas, personal interests and greed, no sane person should have to accept policies and regulations from someone that can't understand a word of their native language from the other side of the continent.
While i'd like nothing more than to see all countries united under a roof, EU model is not the way to go for far too many reasons to list here.

I'm really hoping UK can prove everyone wrong and stay up on it's feet because change, from within or not, is needed right now to sort this circus out.

Loulimi makes a good point.

Actually in Australia we've been turning illegal immigrants away for years and years yet we're still a massive multi-cultural country and there generally isn't a 'xenophobic' attitude here either. AND we arnt even part of the EU!

You folk from the northern hemisphere need to calm yo farm!

Well, the Australian people generally aren't xenophobic, but the government sure seems to be.

By the way, no-one really answered my question.

Wow, and I'm still here, lying in my bed, thinking how Bosnia and Herzegovina has THREE PRESIDENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Back on topic:
Sometimes I wonder when will the UK fall apart, completely. Trust me, it will happen after a few decades, or centuries. The same goes for the EU.

A quick run down in answer to your Q, Jessie, basically England was a part of the EU which is a group of European nations that get together and have trade agreements and stuff but also have connections with foreign policy and how immigrants are dealt with. So for instance the EU could tell UK to open their borders to accept whatever illegal immigrants come in, like what France or Germany has been doing. But if UK isn't part of the EU they can do whatever they like, including not accepting or processing, but deporting illegal immigrants, like what Australia does. But if they leave the EU this can forfeit a lot of trade agreements therefore affecting the economy. Someone that lives in Europe may be able to provide a better explanation!

NineTrine is right, EU is supposed to ease the pain of tourism, trading and such. If the "EU leaders" say we open our borders for illegal immigrants, every EU member has to do it and STFU (even if a member disagree with this measure)

Watched some John Oliver commentary today, thought this was funny:

<3 John Oliver

"So for instance the EU could tell UK to open their borders to accept whatever illegal immigrants come in"
No. The UK wouldn't have to do it. They haven't signed the Schengen agreement. As for the countries that did sign the Schengen agreement, they can restore border controls temporarily if there's a threat to their internal security, like Sweden has done.

You're EU-less, people are resigning like flies... what the hell is going on over there?