Cameron has to blame himself after turning up empty-handed following EU reform promise
Our magnificent army of hard-working voters seized chance to our give smug political and business classes a bloody nose
ONE of life’s joys yesterday was bumping into Alastair Campbell and accepting a crisp red £50 note.
It was my winnings from a bet on the referendum result after we clashed on Newsnight.
To his credit, Tony Blair’s ex-Press chief was waiting cash in hand as I left a BBC studio. I might frame it.
New Labour is enraged by this sensational demonstration of democracy in action.
Thanks to a dud Downing Street poll showing a 55-45 victory for David Cameron both the IN and OUT camps believed David Cameron was steaming to victory.
It was a bombshell when the near-opposite proved true. Labour’s furious “Prince of Darkness”, Peter Mandelson, immediately took revenge by turning on hapless Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour is now heading for extinction across the UK as it plunges into another civil war.
The referendum result is a gift that keeps on giving.
And it is all down to you, dear readers. The Sun’s magnificent army of hard-working voters seized the chance to give our smug political and business classes a bloody nose over low pay and the threat to jobs from mass immigration.
When David Cameron decided to give us a say, he thought it would be a walk in the park - a near certain 60-40 victory putting the thorny issue of Europe to bed for a generation.
In those days, immigration was actually coming down.
So he was totally unprepared for the one million migrants waved in later by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Instead of cutting numbers below 100,000 a year he watched them soar to 330,000 with no end in sight.
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Yesterday, the PM swallowed hard and delivered a graceful resignation speech. He applauded the Brexiteers and pleaded for unity in the Tory party.
For Mr Cameron, this result is a personal tragedy, ending his unfettered term as Prime Minister after barely a year.
But it was a catastrophe brought on his own head. He promised “fundamental reform” of Britain’s relationship with Europe and then returned empty-handed without putting up a fight.
From that moment, on February 18, his fate was sealed. It triggered Michael Gove’s decision to join Brexit - followed by Boris Johnson.
Now the Tories must choose a new leader. Right now, Boris - hugely popular with Eurosceptic grass roots members - is runaway favourite.
The ex-London Mayor has visibly matured as a politician during this torrid campaign. He has even managed to stop acting the buffoon - permanently we hope.
He even emerged with dignity intact after a vicious attack from fellow Tory Amber Rudd - sister of Roland, the IN campaign’s Machiavellian manager and close pal of shady Peter Mandelson.
If Boris wins, he will need support. The dream team to handle EU negotiations could be Michael Gove as Chancellor and George Osborne as Foreign Secretary.
The Tories face a huge challenge as we peel away from the EU. It will take political will and judgement to make it as painless for Britain as possible.
But the challenge is undoubtedly even bigger for EU leaders who are already squabbling over the way they say goodbye. France wants to punish us. Germany sees the dangers of revenge.
It would be a crass mistake for Brussels to act spitefully or raise barriers. Voters across Europe are even more hostile to their remote and arrogant political masters than we are.
Many envy our decision to leave.
Crucial elections are due next year in Germany and in France. Hardline anti-EU parties are on the rise in both countries.
Pro-EU minister Anna Soubry was crowing with glee last night as the Pound dropped and share prices fell. This was stupid. They are already back to where they stood only a few weeks ago
More to the point, the real threat to the EU will come as our economy surges free from its bureaucratic tentacles.
Bankrupt Greece is not allowed to default and float free from the Eurozone as a low-cost holiday destination in case it sets a tempting example to other unhappy member states.
Imagine the much greater threat to EU cohesion as its second largest economy sails off to a prosperous and successful future after British Independence Day.
