Mixture of Brexit shock and elation on streets of London

RALLIES have turned ugly in London as the UK wakes to a mixture of shock and elation at the results of the referendum overnight.

SHOCK, devastation and elation could be seen on the faces of UK voters on Friday as news broke the country had voted to leave the EU 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Londoner Beverly Davis, 33, sitting outside a tube station in Islington with friend Rosie Ellis, 32, said she was feeling “hugely deflated” by the result that she says showed bigotry and fear won out.

“I just can’t believe we’ve done this. I can’t believe we live in a country that’s so insular and inward-looking and filled with bigotry and hate. I just don’t understand what’s not to love about Europeans. They’re so embracing of us, they learn our language, they learn our culture and I don’t understand why we don’t want to be a part of it.”

She said she would quickly renew her passport for the “small mercy” of another 10 years on a European one.

“We’re going to rue this day, we really are. In a world where everyone is joining trading blocs…I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to be part of something bigger than yourself. It’s so little England. It’s so generational as well. I feel like the old people in this country don’t have a future here and yet they’ve stopped us from having one too.”

Supporters of the 'Stronger In' Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at a results party at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Picture: AFP PHOTO / POOL / ROB STOTHARD

Having come from an all-night party to watch the vote, she said there was also a dark undertone to the event with someone screaming “facist” when Nigel Farage came on screen.

“There are a lot of people who are going to be really angry about this.”

The shock result has taken the country by surprise after exit polls predicted a win for the remain campaign. It’s triggered massive volatility in financial markets and speculation it could lead to the breakup of the UK if Scotland opts to hold a second independence referendum.

However Martin Smith, 42, also returning from the pub said he is thrilled with the result.

“I think it’s awesome. I think we’re going to take control of our future, our destiny and it might be painful in the short term but it’s going to be awesome in 10 years’ time.“

“I go skiing in the Swiss Alps every single year. I go on a summer holiday every single year and I’m going to keep on doing that and there’s not going to be an issue with that.”

Rosie Ellis, 32, said she wanted to “wake up from this nightmare” while other commuters said it was a “scary” result and they were worried about how it could affect their home and living situations.

Odilio, 45, from Portugal was surprised at the result and said while Europe might have problems, the UK “needs to share with other countries too”.

“People need to think about that because it’s impossible to live alone in this world”