Shock sweeps ‘safe haven’ as UK sails off into an uncertain sunset

The United Kingdom’s 23 June referendum shocked the established order world-wide, as the electorate voted 51.9% to 48.1% on a 72.2% turnout. It has left the Conservative and, potentially, Labour parties facing leadership elections, the government rudderless until a new prime minister takes over, Scotland itching for a (probably successful) new independence referendum and severe questions about the future of peace in Northern Ireland. A blame game is under way in an already weakened EU that even its most talented leaders, not least German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will find hard to control.