There’s not a lot of celebrating happening in the United Kingdom in response to the historic vote to leave the European Union, and no wonder! The prevailing mood is shock and gloom. Even those who voted for a Brexit are muted, with some expressing their regrets now that they’ve witnessed the damaging fallout. There is a growing realisation that the ‘lying’ economic experts may have been right after all. Many Leavers saw the referendum as their opportunity to register a protest vote against globalisation, economic marginalisation, austerity cuts and immigration, unaware that it was, in fact, a generational decision with the potential to adversely affect their lives and the lives of their children — not a protest.

The post-Brexit voting map shows clearly that economically depressed areas fuelled the result; ironic when one considers that less well off areas are destined to become even poorer than they are now. If the new British prime minister and his team are unable to balance the budget, taxation will rise and there will be cuts to services. Projected job losses will also put a strain on welfare and if the pound cannot keep its value, inflation is around the corner.

The youth, in particular, are angered that their options have been reduced by the older generation in England and Wales; 61 per cent of the over-65s voted leave.

A large majority of Londoners are furious that their votes failed to count, with some signing a petition for a new referendum and others calling, albeit futilely, for London to announce its independence as a city state. The face of the Leave campaign, former London Mayor Boris Johnson — believed to be the top-runner to replace Prime Minister David Cameron — has been booed by crowds of disappointed London residents. The Scots, who voted overwhelmingly to remain, are likely to call for a new independence referendum with an eye to negotiating its own EU membership. Northern Ireland may decide to follow suit.

Were Britain to be sheared of Scotland and Ireland, there’s a slim chance that Welsh nationalism could gather steam. Wales voted leave by a small margin; its capital city Cardiff chose remain. A UK reduced both in terms of the economy and in physical size would, indeed, be viewed as “Little England”. Its influence on the world’s stage would be degraded.

United Kingdom Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, who’s been up front and centre within the Leave campaign, would argue the EU needs Britain more than the other way around and won’t hesitate to cut a positive trade deal. Others counter his arguments, saying EU heads of state are unlikely to give Britain a free ride so as not to encourage other members to hold referendums of their own.

Britain has never been so divided. It has leapt into uncharted waters and is now forced to navigate choppy seas for the foreseeable future. I can only imagine that the 51.9 per cent of Britons who divorced in haste will have decades to reflect on their ‘victory’ at leisure.

Linda S. Heard is an award-winning British political columnist and guest television commentator with a focus on the Middle East.