In a shock speech, British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced his resignation.
This comes after Britain voted to leave the European Union in Thursdays referendum.
Mr Cameron said he accepted the decision of the people, which voted by 52 percent to 48 percent to quit the EU.
“The British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path, and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction. I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination,” said a downcast Mr Cameron.
The aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by October.
What will happen next for Britain?
Things won’t change straight away – it could take years
An agreement called Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty has to be activated in order to leave the EU.
This then starts a two-year process where the UK’s future relationship with the EU is worked out. New trading rules will need to be made.
The UK is currently part of something called the “single market”, an agreement that allows countries in the EU to easily travel and trade between countries.
If the UK decides to bring in work permit restrictions, then other countries could do the same, meaning British people would have to apply for visas (official documents) to work abroad in the EU.
Around three million people from other EU countries currently live in the UK, and around two million British people live in other EU countries.
4 Responses
Trying to break free now would just lead to another war.
Why resign???????
this is bad for lots of people, now i am not allowed in the UK
Rage quit.