Good luck, I hope you have a swift application!

I would not feel an ounce of guilt, you are protecting the life you have built in your adopted home.

I still feel queasy when I think of the consequences of this vote.

Thanks RoseandJoan. All is not yet lost - maybe Nicola Sturgeon will step up to the plate.

Deeply worrying times, I do so agree.

It is so very hard to see where the next "bright light" will come from in terms of leadership. May be Nicola - good call approprio.

Reflecting on the situation that we find ourselves in, I wonder how hard those in power worked (or didn't) to secure that their ideas were clearly articulated and understood. The organisers of the Remain campaign should be taking responsibility for not having engaged with the electorate. Hard work and intellectual thought is so important for leadership, charisma is good too, but in these times, substance is needed rather than style.

Such a good thread and so good to be able to express my thoughts and fears. Thank you YLF

Jane, such wise words. Your considered opinion is golden.

Suz, this has been a very respectful thread but I am very aware only one side of the argument is being represented.

Facebook and online newspaper columns are a whole other matter.

I feel slightly more optimistic for Scotland, perhaps Nicola will be able to secure a special status for Scotland that keeps the UK in tact? There is a precedent with Denmark and Greenland.

I've been following the Brexit issue for a while, not really expecting it to have much of a direct impact on me, as an American. However, in an example of how far-reaching this decision is... my husband mentioned yesterday that he was, at the very least, no longer expecting a bonus next year. The small Denver app development company he works for is actually owned by a large British advertising group that does a lot of business in continental Europe. The waves of repercussions are pretty staggering.

Adding onto what Jenn said about far-reaching implications, my husband and I (he is British, I am from the US) had a general wish to live in Northern Europe at some point where he could work and get advanced training in green energy/sustainable engineering. He had researched several programs and companies in the past, even though we weren't ready to make the leap at that time. Now it could be a lot more difficult even with his qualifications and experience. For UK people in their 40's and younger like him who have always lived as part of the EU, freedom to travel and work in Europe was something, not taken for granted, but incorporated into dreams and life plans from early ages.

So going on more as someone working within international corporations governed by EU rules... I will also say, even tho change is daunting, I also don't have a feeling for who the people in Brussels are and where they come from. It *is* a weird feeling...Esp as an American and our whatnot about 'taxation and representation' on some philosophical level...So more of why I asked...

It is too much to type here Rachy but one of the reasons stated for Brexit was TTIP which very much affects America and Europe.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik.....artnership

Here's a bit more info Rachy on how laws are passed.
http://europa.eu/eu-law/decisi.....dex_en.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-p.....m-36429482

I was also very shocked, and feel rather nervous about what lies ahead. It is hard to know what impact this will have here in NZ, but I have several younger relatives working in the UK at the moment.

There has been some comment here about people not understanding what the vote was, and that they voted as a "protest", and did not comprehend the ramifications. I don't know what to think about that. But I do wonder if it was an appropriate referendum question?

I do see we are entering an age of increased nationalism and protectionism.

I certainly wish all YLF forum members directly affected all the best, and for resolution of your particular concerns.

Much appreciation for the links, Jules. The news here, even for our own government, is very...superficial? I can't think of the right word. But names get thrown out, of groups and people, and one is all, 'wait, I didn't catch that...' And little to no background is mentioned. Hard to even google, frankly, because you have to have something to go on. I can't think of a single regular EU election, by ordinary citizens, that was ever reported. National elections, yes. EU elections, no. This is a stupid question - but do you have an elected representative in Brussels, in whose election you could cast a direct vote?

I will admit to being wary of trade agreements after NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). It's a quandary when you work for big corporations, I will say. You want your job so you want your company to do business, but you can vote yourself out of that job that way too...it is difficult to form a sentiment...

A little attempt at humor I saw on Facebook today...

Ok. That *is* funny. Sometimes things are so crazy, you have to laugh.

The UK has 73 MEPs, there is a vote every 5 years but they are low key. The last elections were in 2014, and the results in which UKIP made huge gains, were seen as a protest against the establishment.

I think the gains by UKIP were brushed off after they only gained one seat in the general election in 2015.

I'm now trying to resolve friendships, the result has split friends and families and in most instances I believe we have the same desire for the country.

Ha! They just suggested bourbon whiskey on the radio! 'Settle in with a drink.'

ps: Ok. Read up on the election process...It puts me in mind of our primary, which has so many ins and outs.

Rachylou, it's an interesting point you make about finding out about international news. I listen avidly to BBC World Service to try and get some grasp on a world perspective. I read The Times a lot, but it's still not enough to be able to get a full handle.

Lightening the mood a little, I am full of admiration for Christine Lagard, head of the IMF. So stylish, so articulate and so composed.

I am a UK and now also a US passport holder . I have been living outside of the UK for 30 years so am no longer eligible to vote in the UK. I found all the literature on Brexit from both sides to be quite confusing and still wonder how I would have voted had I been able to!! I am anxious to talk to my brother who lives in the UK and see how he feels about the outcome. It is a time of great uncertainly which makes me feel anxious.

I'm kind of a news junkie - NPR, NYT, NBC news, CBS news, etc. Yesterday I talked to a friend of mine who was born in Scotland.
"What did you think of the election? What about your mom? What does she think?"
"What election?"
I was flabbergasted that he didn't know anything about it whatsoever.

I think it is harder to find quality sources of international news in the US. I have noticed that on my visits- partly due to being such a large nation, and partly the media organisations. It is becoming harder here too as our papers become increasingly dumbed down with click bait and lifestyle news. I now get most of my news via public radio podcasts or live in my car.

I used to be totally up with international and local news, and a very politically aware person. I realised that I have become more ignorant and poorly informed at times for a variety of reasons. I do not want to be that way so I have to fight against the news-lite fed to me by some media organisations. And I am on a mission to ensure my sons are politically aware too because I see disengagement as being a real issue for young people. I can respect people from all sides of the political fence as long as they are thoughtful and informed and non prejudiced. After all not only one party has it right - here certainly there are faults and issues with most of the major political parties.

Gosh, it's hard to find LOCAL news. All the papers have died. Local tv reports fire and police, but not very much town hall. We have one last standing but franchise weekly, the student university paper, and a local radio talkshow. My work children from out of state - none come to me registered to vote (but they leave me registered!), Not even the one from our nation's capital voted!

I, too, was not expecting the vote to go the way it did. What really gave me pause was learning that, the day AFTER the vote, the most frequent Google search by people in Great Britain, was "What's the EU?"

Yikes.

Whoa, Windchime! One hopes that's school kids doing homework...

But Jaileen, it wasn't an election - it was a referendum. Right?

Anne, you're right. But we talked about the whole thing and he still didn't know what it was. He didn't know what the EU was either.

Very interesting thread ladies, I echo all of your sentiments and concerns and appreciate hearing from those who are in the 'thick of it'. I will add that I find The Economist to have great deal of information which can be used as an orthogonal source on this matter and other world news.

Ann, I love that word, orthogonal. Have not heard it in years.

I'm kind of confused as to how legally binding this referendum is/was. That said, I realize Pandora's box has been opened.