The polling results for Brexit—the "British exit" from the European Union—came in Friday morning, and the camp in favor of the UK leaving the EU secured 52 percent of the vote, according to The Telegraph. London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reportedly wanted the UK to remain part of the EU, but the rest of the UK overpowered their votes. It has already had an effect on the global economy, and since the official results have come in, the worth of the pound has declined and the value of many British companies has dropped as well.
The Brexit vote is also going to have a big impact on British politics. Shortly after the Brexit results were announced, British Prime Minister David Cameron—who was in favor of staying in the EU—announced his resignation and revealed he will step down from his post in October to make way for a new Prime Minister. During a brief speech, Cameron said he feels the UK needs "fresh leadership" in place in light of the Brexit vote.
"The British people have made a choice," he said. "That not only needs to be respected, but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work."
"Britain is a special country. We have so many advantages," he added. "While we aren't perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multiracial, multi-faith democracy where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows."
He closed his speech by promising to do what he can to make the process of the UK leaving the EU as painless as possible. "I've said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union and indeed that we could find a way," he said. "Now that the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way. And I will do everything I can to help. I love this country and I feel honored to have served it."
