Britons celebrate, bemoan EU exit vote
LONDON (AP) — Britons reacted with jubilation and relief or shock and anger Friday to the result of a historic vote that upends the country's relationship with Europe.
At London's Billingsgate market, vendors were delighted with the referendum vote to leave the European Union.
"Absolutely wonderful, best news ever," said Allen Laurence, 65. "We want England — or Great Britain — to come back how it was years ago, and it's going the way that we want it to go."
Mathew Heart, a 46-year-old vendor, said that while the vote wouldn't affect him, he was pleased.
"I think it's just great we've got our independence back," he said.
Commuters at the main train station in the well-heeled southwest London borough of Richmond, which voted overwhelmingly to remain, expressed anger and frustration at the vote.
"I'm quite shocked really," said Martin Laidler. "My 9-year-old daughter asked me to vote to remain, so I was voting for her future."
Olivia Sangster-Bullers, 24, said the result was "absolutely disgusting."
"My best friend and his partner, one of them is from Spain. How does he feel now?" she said.
"I've just seen that the pound's crashed so good luck to all of us, I say, especially those trying to build a future with our children," she added.
Morning commuters were glued to their phones or — unusually for London — talking to each o