The EU referendum result shocked the United Kingdom and the rest of the world as 51.9% of the voters chose to leave the European Union. After the Leave campaign won the pound plunged in the market, David Cameron announced he would step down as Prime Minister in October and other European nations right-wing leaders have called upon their county’s own referendum.

Within the UK people flooded the social media with their reactions. Young Britons opted to stay, but according to the Financial Times areas with younger populations had lower turnout, leaving older voters the lead and they opted to leave.

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn is facing rough times. 16 ministers have resigned so far and has been asked to resign, as he has “no authority” among his MP’s.

On the other side, the Leave campaign was driven by anxieties about immigration, and in an article in the Daily Telegraph, Boris Johnson argues: “I can tell you that the number one issue was control – a sense that British democracy was being undermined by the EU system.”

The campaign has been facing criticism after one of its main claims was backtracked. Nigel Farage said he could not promise money spent on the EU to go instead to the NHS.

Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has stated a second Scottish independence referendum was back on the table as the majority of its people voted to stay part of the EU. Also she said on Sunday MPs at Holyrood could veto Brexit, in a response to a presenter.

"If the Scottish Parliament was judging this on the basis of what's right for Scotland then the option of saying look we're not to vote for something that's against Scotland's interest, of course that's got to be on the table,” she said.

But besides this option, which Westminster is likely to overrule and have the final say, Quartz has listed 4 ways Brexit could be reversed:

1. Ignore the vote.
The referendum results were advisory and do not bind the government to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. However it is unlikely the government led by David Cameron will do this as he stated he would honor the voters wishes.

2. Sign a petition
About 3.5 million people have signed a petition that asks the government to add a rule to Brexit vote counting that would lead to another referendum. They want the UK to accept the vote only if 60% vote to leave and there is at least 75% voter turnout.

The petition was created 24 May by Oliver Healy a Leave campaigner who wrote in his Facebook page, “This petition was created at a time when it was unlikely that ‘leave’ were going to win, with the intention of making it harder for ‘remain’ to further shackle us to the EU.”

Following the results his intention has backfired and is the most signed petition in the parliament webpage.

3. Another general election
The Fixed Term Parliament Act can trigger a new general election via no-confidence motion or if two thirds of the members of the House of Commons resolve to have an early election. If this was to happen a pro remain agenda would won and reverse the referendum.

However there is little chance for this as both Labour and the Conservatives are divided on whether to remain or leave.

4. A significant change in conditions
According to Quartz this is the most likely route the referendum could be reversed.

After Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is notified, 2 years of negotiations will follow and decide what will happen within UK and EU relationship. Currently the UK is part of EU’s single market.

If a tempting deal was offer, say the UK can remain part of EU’s single market but adopt some immigration restrictions that would represent a “significant change” in conditions and the UK government would have a reason to do a second referendum.

It would be done if the remain vote has greater chance to win and it is possible if all 27 member of the EU agreed to allow UK back.

Meanwhile, today Angela Merkel will be holding crisis talks in Berlin with European Council President, Donald Tusk, later with French President Francois Hollande and Matteo Renzi, Italian Prime Minister.

On Tuesday there will be an extraordinary European Parliament session in Brussels in which it’s probable for Nigel Farage, UKIP’s leader to attend. A EU Summit from the European Council will be followed.

The EU summit will continue on Wednesday without David Cameron and Mr. Tusk is expected to launch a reflection on European future in a press conference in the afternoon.
 
LatinAmerican Post | María Andrea Marquez