Yesterday I glumly forecast that we 'Brexiteers' would lose which is what I have thought since the referendum was called. Last night I went to bed at just after 10.00pm with the pollsters saying that 'Remain' looked certain to win. I woke up about 2.00am and plugging in my radio ear-piece I heard the outstanding news that first indications were that we would win. I went downstairs to watch the news and as more and more results came through it was clear that all the experts - including me, although I am no expert - were wrong. VOTE LEAVE were ahead by a healthy margin. I went back to bed at 5.00am to catch up on my sleep but at six o'clock 'SoD' rang to confirm the news.
I am exceedingly proud and grateful that a majority of Brits had the confidence to decide to take back control of their own destiny. Apart from anything else, we can shuck off the growing resentments that were building against our European neighbours. Now we can get back to dealing with them as equals, not as masters. Obviously, there are going to be some immense difficulties, not least from the metropolitan, cosmopolitan ruling elites both here and 'just over there' who have received an almighty kick in their comfortable backsides. We need to take things slowly and carefully in order to reduce the amount of collateral damage.
However, there are two personalities who deserve special mention. First, allow me one little gloat as I recall the smug, superior condescension of President Obama who was stupid enough to treat us to the sort of lecture that he regularly gives the American people. There was only ever one proper response to his unwanted interference - get stuffed! Secondly, let us all offer a huge 'thank you' to the one man who made this possible - Nigel Farage. I have never had much time for his UKIP organisation which I suspect would have extreme difficulty running a piss-up in a brewery let alone a country. However, it was his persistence which led to his party's strength in the polls and was the main, the only, reason that 'Dim 'n' Frit Dave' finally lost his nerve and agreed to offer us plebs a referendum. If he isn't offered a knighthood at the New Year I may have to speak severely to 'Her Maj'!
So now the difficult part begins but - hey! - we've faced far worst scenarios, so let's get on with it!
GREAT BRITAIN is back.
Posted by: Peter Whale | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 07:00
God blew and they were scattered.
Brilliant result. Hope Cameron does the decent thing, and should signal the end of Corbyn too.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 07:24
If the EU had offered the UK a deal we could live with, things would have turned out differently. They gambled on us not doing what we have done – and lost. I have just watched a vox pop from Poland and they have no idea that this whole thing is caused by the Poles and the rest telling us to get stuffed.
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 07:27
Let's face the music and dance!
Posted by: Timbo | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 07:29
You can traduce UKIP till the cows come home me old son, BUT, remember if it were not for UKIP and the pressure they put on "Call me Dave" to force him into giving us a referendum, we would not be where we are today.
A little more humility wouldn't go amiss.
Nevertheless, it is a great day for our country and if I were you I'd ring up Brenda and get her to ennoble Nigel Farage as Viscount Farage of Brexit.
A knighthood is not sufficient reward for what he's gone through.
Posted by: rapscallion | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 07:49
I was incensed when I saw the American Prez. lecturing you mob like a headmaster dealing with a bunch of naughty boys.
How dare he? What a bloody cheek.
And now it serves him right that he has turned out to a total idiot toadying to his dear friend Dim Dave.
Let them both wander into oblivion and never darken our doors again!
Up the Poms and well done David.
I sincerely doubt your lot could have done it without you.
Posted by: Andra | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:06
'Raps', I thought I had already said that and if you think 'Nige' deserves a higher order then I will not argue!
Thank you for your last line, Andra, I do think 'it wos the Milborne Port vote wot dunnit'!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:13
Obama, Merkel, the self-same Cameron - up your collective arse.
The British working classes have done what they do best and taken the vital step towards saving Europe from itself.
"I don't know they do to the enemy but by god they terrify me"
Posted by: Cuffleyburgers | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:18
Dim Dave to go in the next 3 months. Better and better!
Posted by: Whyaxye | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:24
Answer to her maj: (1) The unity of UK (2) The prosperity of the UK (3) Peace in the UK.
Oops, too late!
Scotland, Gibraltar, and London(?) to leave, sterling and stock market down 10% and assorted farmers, steelworkers, and country bumpkins on the media already clamouring for more wedge, and first MP murdered by a country bumpkin with a resurgent IRA sure to follow.
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:39
It's bein' so cheerful, SoD, as keeps yer so young!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:42
And to cap it all, CAMERON HAS GONE. YIPPEEE!
Posted by: Richard | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:45
Looks like Grouchy and his 30,000 men got in between us.
Dunkirk, not D-Day.
"Sauve qui peut!"
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 08:47
I like the way that it's the old people who have "voted on behalf of the young". I have a sneaking suspicion the young are happy for an entire generation to slave away under the yoke of the EU, earning just enough to keep the young people with a pension whilst having no say in how our country is run.
Posted by: Mayfly | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 09:07
Alas and alack, People, whilst I would love to spend the morning gloating like mad the 'Memsahib' needs to be driven hither and thither and then I have to go and visit a friend. However, "I shall return" and then gallons of 'gloat' will be poured over these distinguished columns!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 09:12
Champers all round what a great result. However will it be short lived the Islington set, Brussels and other vested interests will not give up that easily. I suspect we will be forced to vote again after they cobble together another set of useless concessions and threaten us with dire consequences if we dare to defy the EU again. I do not believe it is all over until the fat German lady sings.
Posted by: Antisthenes | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 09:14
Unbelievable amount of butt hurt on display on the news commentary shows here in Spain. As a net recipient of EU funds, that's only natural. This may also have an effect on the Spanish general elections this Sunday.
Posted by: Timbo | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 10:54
I do not know if the elation I felt was like my mother's and older brothers and sister when the war ended. However I was confident the British would not all fall for the lies and scare stories which my party participated in. The lie being told by Labour about maternity rigths was a disgrace. It was the Wilson Gov that introduced those rights not the EU. And the subtle way the Remain used the Cox murder was a disgrace. So here is a drink to all who had the courage to vote OOT.
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 11:00
Well done Britain! Never take your eye off those who govern in London, even though Dave is riding off into the sunset. The ruling class does not like defeat at the hands of the lower orders. Vigilance.
Especially gratifying to see Obama get yet another one broke off in him.
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 12:07
Au contraire (more French), Duffers, a piss-up in a brewery is the one thing UKIP could be counted to pull off successfully. Now for the hangover of all hangovers!
Posted by: H | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 13:40
I just peeked "up north" and discovered Richard North has allowed himself to be in a fairly good mood. He and some of his compadres have worked up something they call Flexcit to help with the transition to freedom. That will have to wait I suspect until all the rabbits stop running across so many graves of global bureaucrats.
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 13:44
As I wrote you in the middle of your night, Huzzah and Hosannah! So happy for the cousins, and sticking it to the big O is gravy on the steak. Now, what's wrong with a duty-free zone? Tariffs never did anybody any good in the long run. My revulsion was for Brussels telling y'all how to cut the cheese, and yes, that means two things here, too.
Posted by: Michael Adams | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 14:10
Sturgeon and Adams seem to look very happy about it too. Desn't it worry you?
Posted by: ortega | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 14:22
Thanks, Michael, and your point on tarrifs is a good one.
Not in the slightest, Ortega. The Irish nationalists were well and truly defeated during the recent 'Troubles' but due to Tony Blair's softness they were actually given a good deal - particularly their 'fat cats' like Adams. They might kick off again but I suspect they will think twice.
As for the Jocks, Sturgeon might sound very confident but she will remember that she actually lost the last Scottish independence vote, and in last years elections her party failed to gain total control of the Scottish parliament. Also, the price of oil has slumped!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 15:08
Lockheed Martin UK
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/uk/what-we-do/products/f35b.html
Lockheed Martin DOW
http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/lmt
Et cetera but, I suppose I should admit I'll be sitting on this shiny yellow stuff abit longer.
David? Incidentally, the guy who makes my trades and purchases for me was absolutely aghast when I directed him to, "trade in all my sterling for gold" going so far as to call me foolish and wondering "who told you such nonsense?"
Now there's an email in my box I think I'll let stay on simmer awhile longer. Thanks David my Friend for not stopping your unerring run in the "predicshun bidness"!
http://www.defenseone.com/news/2016/06/the-d-brief-june-24-2016/129367
Posted by: JK | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 15:42
Three cheers for Britain!! My late mum and dad, who grew up in Scotland and London respectively, would be very proud today.
Perhaps best of all, over on this side of the ditch: to watch Britain put its thumb in Barack Obama's eye. You'll have a good friend and a stout ally in our next president -- and this result will help, I think, to put the wind at his back.
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
It took, perhaps, longer than it should have to shake off this humiliating yoke -- but as Henryk Sienkiewicz once said: "England is never in a hurry, because she is eternal."
Three cheers for Britain!!
Posted by: Malcolm Pollack | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 16:22
Stirling stuff, Malcolm.
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 24 June 2016 at 18:03
I'm a bit late to the party because of my Pacific time zone, but I am just as elated as the rest of youz guys. Congratulations to the British people for righting their ship of state!
Now, please wish us Americans good luck in November disinfecting the stench of 0bama and his ilk from that once great Nation of ours (and one of Great Britain's best friends).
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 00:23
Dear Andra,
You read my mind. From your lips to God's ears.Posted by: TheBigHenry | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 00:44
Good to hear from you, Henry.
Is there a Small Henry lurking anywhere in the background and which particular part of you is so "Big" that you needed to emphasize it for us? Not that we don't appreciate such distinctions. It's always better to know just who we're dealing with.
For instance, JK is 6'7"and looks just like Arnie Schwartzenegger (well, you know who I mean) only with an Arkie accent and overalls.
Coincidentally I am reading an old book written by Jeffrey Archer (one of your old criminals) called "First Among Equals", which tells the tale of 4 young Pommy blokes who go into Parliament. It's pretty boring and I've been reading it for so long I've had to make myself a little note to remind me who the hell the characters are. However, the part I'm up to is about Britain GOING into the EU and that's where you went wrong. If you could rewrite that things would be a whole lot different.
Get Jeffrey Archer on the phone (is he still alive?) and ask him to write an up to date book about these 4 guys.
I dunno how it ends but the bit I'm up to now is Ms. Thatcher being PM .... does it get better after that?
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 07:25
Andra,
Yes, there is; and my "Bigness" has to do with my age, not my size. All is revealed about my nickname in my post "TheBigHenry". It's a long story, albeit an interesting one (in my humble opinion).Nice to hear from you.
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 19:39
Many thanks, TheBigHenry.
I understand and will spend some time with you.
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 21:32
I can still hardly believe it myself. Cannot stop grinning :-)
http://www.samizdata.net/2016/06/i-should-have-believed-what/
Posted by: Perry de Havilland | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 21:51
Hi Perry,
I liked your post that you linked to. I guess you noticed that the media the world over seems to support (with a vengeance) everything that sane people detest.
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Saturday, 25 June 2016 at 23:11
Henry, Perry's link was eye opening. Isn't it always the case that average people have capabilities that the ruling class lack?
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 26 June 2016 at 14:30
Robert,
The so-called "ruling class" is above average, doncha know? What they ignore, however, is that they are above average in arrogance, perfidy, and stupidity.
Posted by: TheBigHenry | Sunday, 26 June 2016 at 16:48
Henry, indeed! They are, as we say down here, "educated beyond their intelligence".
Posted by: Whitewall | Sunday, 26 June 2016 at 17:08