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Say hello, wave goodbye to Europe

Who will be hurt most by the UK's exit from the EU - Heidi Foster gives vent to her feelings

Some of you may dance, (Brexits) but some of us are distraught for England, Ireland, the break up of the nation, for the future generations and the people who think that leaving the EU will better their lives. Don't dance too soon, the repercussions to be expected, at least initially, short or long-term will hit exactly those people who voted out.

As Ian Birrell (columnist of the year) in the i newspaper  June 27, said: "...Already some of the careerists and charlatans who led the Brexit campaign are confessing they conned voters, accepting it will not end free movement or send an extra £350m a week to the health service."

Alice Jones, also in i, June 25, writes: "That this referendum represents a revolt by the working class - the economically disfranchised, angry and alienated from Westminster - is in no doubt". One only needs to look at the geographical map of choices made.

The farmers hope to be compensated by the government for the funds they will now not get from the EU, but where will the money come from? After many years of suffering under the austerity measures of the Conservatives, lack of investment in social care, zero hours contracts, cuts in the NHS, industries collapsing, bedroom tax, inability to get on the housing ladder, London properties being sold to people from abroad and then rented at high prices, affordable housing shortage, nothing being built (and most cuts of course blamed on immigration which tipped the balance) what is there to lose? Here was a chance to tell the rich and politicians across party lines "Up yours" and at the same time be free from Brussels' regulations.

I do get it, I also am angry about the politicians and the greedy MEP's but while I hope I am wrong, the people who are going to suffer under the next austerity cuts will be the workers, people who are working hard to make a life, many of the group who voted out. It will not be the people who made their money now, the ones with investments (maybe loss of a little interest because the £ drops for a bit), not well off pensioners (though I am sure they worked hard to get there), it will be the community who felt already squeezed and was persuaded that out of the EU all would be well.

John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor, says in i June 25: "The weakest parts of the UK will suffer most from this shock."

I do hope I am wrong in my fears and that the political parties, businesses and city will work together to make a smooth transition over the next 3-5 years and have a plan that helps the people, rather than lining their own pockets.

Just a picture to jolt everybody's imagination, the world and our security could be in the hands of Boris Johnson and US presidential hopeful Donald Trump. I shudder. While a Labour supporter, unfortunately I don't think that Jeremy Corbyn, though respected for his principles, is ready to lead at any and particularly not at this difficult, time.

[Editor's note: At the time of going to press, (and after this article was written) Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of the leadership race and Jeremy Corbyn appears to be heading for the exit, too.]

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