EU leave vote - Rochdale reacts

Date published: 24 June 2016

Mixed feelings are being shared locally following the EU referendum result, in which 60% of those that voted in the borough opted to leave the EU.

Rita and Geoff Walker, Smithy Bridge: “We both voted out so naturally we are happy with the result. 

"At the end of the day this is a democracy and that was a democratic event. The people have spoken.”

Peter King, from Queensway, was not as positive. He said: “I’m worried about this result. I have been worried about it all day. The pound has dropped overnight and we have been put back 31 years. It’s a sad day for the UK.”

Peter King says "it’s a sad day for the UK”

Baudry Laurent, a British-French citizen, said: “I voted in because I have always supported the EU. I’m French but I have dual nationality, so it’s not the reason you might expect. I think it is very uncertain now, what deals will be negotiated. Perhaps it won’t have such a drastic impact on the economy like people have been saying.”

Donna Hendrickson, from central Rochdale, said: “We should have stayed in. At the same time, it’s wrong for people to call all the leavers racist and stupid. Both sides have been nasty and even though I wanted to stay part of Europe, I think they whole thing sort of stinks.”

Mohammed Bashir said: “I’m happy that we are out. The EU is a rip off.

"To be honest I wasn’t expecting to wake up today with the good news.

"To top it all off we get rid of David Cameron.”

Pro-EU Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, currently suspended from the Labour Party, predictably called for Jeremy Corbyn to resign, he said there is 'no doubt' that Mr Corbyn must go. He told Sky News: 'We've failed to get the message across to what you might describe as Labour heartlands."

One local Labour supporter, who asked not to be named, said: "Danczuk has no self awareness at all, I am no fan of Corbyn but does Danczuk not realise he falied to get the message across in Rochdale - because 60% here voted to leave. Is he going to do what he is calling for Corbyn to do and resign? I doubt it."

Simon Danczuk has called for Jeremy Corbyn to resign

Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes, also Pro-EU, and visibly angry at the count in the early hours, posted: “I want to apologise to all 16 and 17 year olds in the UK, to whom David Cameron's Tory Government denied a vote in their own future.”

Liz McInnes was visibly angry at the count