Brexit sparks online outrage, celebration
Britain’s historic Brexit vote to leave the European Union immediately incited intense online reactions, including jubilation, disappointment, anger and confusion.
Slideshow: Britain’s Brexit battle >>>
After the results of the EU referendum were announced Friday morning, the British markets plunged, shockwaves sped through the global economy and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he would resign.
“I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months. I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers the country to its next destination,” Cameron said to reporters outside 10 Downing Street.
“Eurosceptics” celebrated the moment as an Independence Day of sorts for the United Kingdom, while Britons who believe they are stronger within the EU lamented the largest blow to European unity since World War II.
#WhatHaveWeDone started trending on Twitter.
I’m sorry to every immigrant who has been made to feel unwelcome. I’m sorry for everyone who didn’t vote for this. #WhatHaveWeDone ????
— Samantha Shannon (@say_shannon) June 24, 2016
Oh crap. #WhatHaveWeDone pic.twitter.com/IW40SHycXb
— Parry Glasspool (@ParryGlasspool) June 24, 2016
#WhatHaveWeDone never seen my mother so upset????
— thankyou Caspar (@emiliadaisyy) June 24, 2016
Other popular hashtags included #shocked and #ashamedtobeBritish.
Apologies to all of the EU & all the lovely ‘immigrants’ who will suffer from this. We’re not all like that, we promise #ashamedtobebritish
— Mummy Lady (@blurghhhhhh) June 24, 2016
Today This country is smaller, weaker, vulnerable, isolated and significantly less relevant. #EURefResults #ashamedtobeBritish
— Jonathan Izard (@jonathanizard) June 24, 2016
If you’re looking for me this weekend, I can be found in bed mourning my EU passport. #shocked #Brexit
— Steph Addenbrooke (@steph_add) June 24, 2016
Many people in Britain and beyond braced themselves for what is to come in the U.K. and world financial markets, while dealing with the disruptions that have already come to pass.
FTSE 250 down 11.4% – biggest drop on record says @fastFT pic.twitter.com/G7W6VKAhI5
— Patrick McGee (@PatrickMcGee_) June 24, 2016
Goodbye EU, hello recession ???????? The £ & market has dropped severely. What a mistake. #EUreferndum
— Amelia (@ameliaaa06) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/DavidClinchNews/status/746187114795114496/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Financial Times just gave up. pic.twitter.com/nhk810zbBL
— Johan Norberg (@johanknorberg) June 24, 2016
10%- this is pound’s worst fall ever. Next was 4.3% in 1978. The experts were indeed wrong- not pessimistic enough pic.twitter.com/2MK6q8EkMF
— Joel Lewin (@JoelLewin) June 24, 2016
Others frustrated with the results started sharing a video from “Good Morning Britain” of Nigel Farage, leader of the U.K. Independence Party and a key Brexit campaigner. In the video, Farage said one of their main promises about British independence might not come to pass.
Everyone who voted #Leave, please watch this… #EURefResults https://t.co/BhQzp11Yst
— Cal Fletcher (@callum_fletch98) June 24, 2016
Leave voter on BBC: “I’m shocked & worried. I voted Leave but didn’t think my vote would count – I never thought it would actually happen.”
— Laura Topham (@LauraTopham) June 24, 2016
“…and in the end, Britain, which had colonized the world, destroyed itself in fantasies that it was being colonized in turn” — historians.
— Ted Scheinman (@Ted_Scheinman) June 24, 2016
Despite the “Leave” campaign’s victory, their celebrations were not as ubiquitous on social media Friday, in part because the young adults of Britain leaned heavily toward “Remain.” Still, Farage was not alone in expressing his pride in the U.K.’s new path.
We’ve got our country back. Thanks to all of you. #IndependenceDay
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 24, 2016
Maybe everyone who doesn’t like the outcome would prefer to live under a dictatorship, we have a vote for a reason #WhatHaveWeDone
— Bridgett Johnson (@Bridge1010) June 24, 2016
A nation should be able to govern itself. Happy Independence Day Britain! #Brexit
— Melissa Cannon (@Observer1992) June 24, 2016
Thrilled with the EU Referendum result. Happy Independence Day! #EUref #IndependanceDay #brexit pic.twitter.com/uh8rH8r89s
— Phil Eckersley (@phileckersley) June 24, 2016
I’m so happy today!#IndependanceDay ????????
— P.C. (@Cann_UK) June 24, 2016
Politics of fear, threats, punishment, grief & virtue signalling. #IndependanceDay Long live democracy & freespeech https://t.co/AsqrfhXRFT
— Jane J (@AntiEU_101) June 24, 2016
So proud to be there at 6am, clothes still damp from campaigning in the rain at 10pm, to hear the declaration of our independence #Brexit
— Johnny Shilton (@Johnny_Shilton) June 24, 2016
I have had asleep & I am still buzzing over Brexit & so excited for the future
— David Jones (@DavidJo52951945) June 24, 2016
Nope a nation has put it’s hand up and pushed back on a fundamentally anti-democratic vanity project https://t.co/BIGq4t6rkB
— Pip (@PhilipOrPip) June 24, 2016
What a Glorious Morning for Great Britain!
Congratulations Britons!
Peace & Prosperity to All!
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/d2RNhroWX3
— Dr Teck Khong (@DrTeckKhong) June 24, 2016
#iVoted and #IVotedLeave because this #EUref is our chance to get up, get out and get on. Britain & Europe can do better than the EU.
— George Morrall (@GeorgeMorrall) June 23, 2016
Far-right politicians in other European nations also celebrated Brexit and called for the opportunity to do the same. In France, Marine Le Pen, the president of the National Front, tweeted, “Victory for freedom! As I have asked for years, it is now time to have the same referendum in France and other countries of the E.U.” Florian Philippot, one of the party’s vice presidents, tweeted a similar message.
Victoire de la liberté ! Comme je le demande depuis des années, il faut maintenant le même référendum en France et dans les pays de l'UE MLP
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) June 24, 2016
La liberté des peuples finit toujours par gagner ! Bravo le Royaume-Uni. A nous maintenant ! #Brexit #Frexit
— Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) June 24, 2016
Geert Wilders, the founder and leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom, an anti-immigration party, echoed these sentiments. He said Britain is pointing Europe toward a future of liberation.
Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum! #ByeByeEUhttps://t.co/kXZ0aQtgmx
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) June 24, 2016
