EU states push the UK to initiate quick ‘divorce’ from EU
EU member states and the head of the European Commission are urging Britain to make a quick exit from the EU following yesterday’s referendum.
Earlier today, the European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK’s split from the EU was “not an amicable divorce”,adding that they do not have a “deep love affair”.
Mr Junker said the negotiations should start immediately for Britain to exit the EU.
“Britons decided yesterday [Thursday] that they want to leave the European Union, so it doesn’t make any sense to wait until October to try to negotiate the terms of their departure,” he added.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said negotiations to begin the UK’s exit of the EU should begin “as soon as possible”.
An urgent meeting took place today of the six EU founding members to discuss the decision.
Also today, the UK’s European Commissioner Lord Hill said he will stand down, and said “what is done cannot be undone”.
The UK narrowly voted in a referendum yesterday to leave the EU – with 17,410,742 (51.9%) votes to leave, and just 16,141,241 (48.1%) votes for remaining.
A petition to hold a second referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU has passed a million signatures.
The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon today said her country will go into talks “immediately” with EU member states and EU agencies, with a view to maintaining EU membership.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who had fought passionately for the UK to stay in the EU, resigned yesterday morning, saying the country must take a “different path”.
He added the country requires a “different captain to steer the ship” to drive the negotiations with the EU and devolved governments.
In his speech outside 10 Downing Street, Mr Cameron cited his legacy – including passing same-sex marriage in 2013.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced that she felt it was “highly likely” that Scotland would hold a second independence referendum following the UK’s result.
Before the referendum took place, Ms Sturgeon told PinkNews why she thought the UK should remain members of the EU.
“One of the reasons why I think it’s important to stay in the EU is around social and employment rights that the EU has introduced and protected.
“I think different countries will take their own decisions on things, we touched on some of that already, but, it’s important there is a sort of common understanding of rights across the European Union.
“I think that membership of the EU guarantees that.”
