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UK government dismisses four-million-signature petition calling for a second Brexit vote

The government says that the population “must now prepare for the process to exit the EU”.

EU referendum PA PA

AN ONLINE PETITION calling for a re-run of Britain’s EU membership referendum, which amassed over four million votes, has been dismissed.

The petition, which called for a new referendum given that a certain quota hadn’t been reached, was quashed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in a statement.

Last month’s vote saw the British public choose to leave the EU by a margin of 52% to 48%.

“We the undersigned call upon Her Majesty’s Government to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60% based a turnout less than 75% there should be another referendum,” the petition reads.

The petition garnered 4,127,123 signatures.

Today’s response by the UK government says that the EU referendum act “did not set a threshold for the result or for minimum turnout”.

“The referendum was one of the biggest democratic exercises in British history with over 33 million people having their say,” the FCO’s statement reads.

The prime minister and government have been clear that this was a once in a generation vote and, as the prime minister has said, the decision must be respected.

“We must now prepare for the process to exit the EU and the Government is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for the British people in the negotiations.”

Last month’s referendum result provoked anger on the Remain side, most especially among younger voters who voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU.

The result saw prime minister David Cameron fall on his own sword, with his place currently being hotly contested by Conservative MPs Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom.

The result has also triggered the creation of a pop-up newspaper, entitled The New European, aimed at the 48% of the electorate who voted to stay in the EU.

Read: Andrea Leadsom is in hot water for saying she should be prime minister because she’s a mother

Read: Drowning death of Navy SEAL during training ruled a homicide

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113 Comments
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    Mute Brian Guilfoyle
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:48 PM

    Would they not adopt the Irish Political “Are you sure now lads?” Second vote system?

    412
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    Mute Spiderman
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:11 PM

    More like, “Right, we’ll keep voting until ye get this right!”

    252
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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:17 PM

    @Brian Guilfoyle

    I think that Nicola Sturgeon wishes to adopt that system.

    119
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:34 PM

    Ciaran, what she wants is not the E.U. but independence… And any excuse will do?

    32
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:40 PM

    And Scotland shall be fully independent before Ireland ever will! Oh and it shall happen without any bloodshed and the murdering of thousands of innocent people.

    46
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    Mute Joe Mc
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:18 PM

    Brexit will happen weather you like it or not. No way will England be determined by Germany. Scotland doesn’t matter when it comes to this. The EU is dying anyway

    123
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:18 PM

    Doesn’t the fact that the Irish changed their minds both times justify holding those referendum again?

    32
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    Mute Shane Kinsella
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:39 PM

    Nothing about making the irish vote again was justified.

    82
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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Jul 9th 2016, 6:01 PM

    Former EU commissioner chief becomes chairman of Goldman Sachs. See how it works? https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/08/jose-manuel-barroso-to-become-next-head-of-goldman-sachs-international

    66
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    Mute Ned Shaw
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    Jul 9th 2016, 6:01 PM

    Eh, have I missed something? Is the Republic of Ireland not an independent political state/country? Have we been suddenly annexed by some super power whilst I slept peacefully in my bed last night?

    26
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    Mute Tariq ibn Ziyad
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:07 PM

    Yes.

    29
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    Mute bings
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:41 PM

    Sure is’nt Enda great at telling everyone what to do, He went to Scotland advised them Then contacted the Egyption president/ambasador or who ever he was & told him how to run his jails. Enda suggested an open door system Leave when you want. Arent you a great lad Enda. Off you go over & give them your advice. Can you stay there when you get there.

    26
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    Mute Roaming
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    Jul 9th 2016, 11:18 PM

    Weird woman, independence from the UK to go and join the slave masters

    18
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jul 10th 2016, 10:07 AM

    The Republic of Ireland is a football team, the official name of the country is Ireland, or Éire.

    6
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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:47 PM

    17 milli9n people VOTED to leave. 4 million signed a petition

    337
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:08 PM

    Only 300,000 at best were genuine signatures…

    197
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    Mute John Burke
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:18 PM

    The UK are leaving and Ireland needs to follow, but the country going to sh. It will need to push the process along unfortunately.

    169
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:27 PM

    The E.U. has positive values but the corruption and greed that runs it, is too dangerous. You can not like something for the propaganda, a few good points and ignore the dangers. The E.U. is run by bankers rather than by governments or the people, it is a corporate monster now seeming run by U.S. banks looking for customers, the more the better and using immigration to lower wages and to increase profits for banks.

    168
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    Mute Enda Knight
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:54 PM

    Had to get federal Europe to try stamp out corruption in this country. Look at the corruption league tables. France and Germany up there while we are way down. Not to mention we had to be brought to the European court for pumping shite onto our beaches. Get real dick head.

    31
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:38 PM

    Never mind a second referendum. Just ignore this referendum, it has no legal standing and is merely advisory.

    Let parliament have a free vote on membership. If parliament votes to leave, then as the sovereign entity, that is the end of it.

    And let us never ever have a referendum on anything again other than personal social issues such as gay marriage.

    28
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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:48 PM

    Fred ‘Fascist’ Johnson – You are frightening Fred – you have some very scary ideas!

    72
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    Mute Pádraig Ó Raghaill
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:01 PM

    And that coming from Bingo is certainly a telling tale.

    22
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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:08 PM

    While it’s true there are MAJOR concerns about the European Commission and European Central Bank (and the failure of the European Parliament to democratically hold them to account), leaving the E.U. would still leave us with Irish politicians in even greater power.

    40
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:14 PM

    @ bingo – do you need a safe space?

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    Mute prouesse f
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:02 PM

    @shawn So 4 million people are just insignificant?

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    Mute Shane Kinsella
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:37 PM

    A online poll of 4 million people is not only insignificant but irrelevant when it comes to governing a country.

    52
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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Jul 9th 2016, 6:18 PM

    What about starting another petition to get them to reconsider the first petition?

    40
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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:22 PM

    4 million people are insignificant to 17.4 million.

    31
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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:33 PM

    Padraig, Produce a fascist statement that I have made. You are a typical regressive leftist bully – you simply call names when you have no argument. Considering Fred actually wants to ignore a democratic vote – it is fitting to refer to him as fascist – now produce evidence regarding me being fascist. You can’t and so you probably won’t reply.

    23
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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:34 PM

    Fred, No. I think you do – freedom and democracy too much for you?

    19
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    Mute prouesse f
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:23 PM

    4 m is almost a quarter of 17.4 m.
    It’s two Dublins, or half of Ireland…
    So no, 4 m is not insignificant.

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    Mute prouesse f
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:24 PM

    Shane, even the most cynical ruler knows that 4 m people can’t just be ignored when they express themselves.

    2
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:37 PM

    But prouesse f…you purposely leave out the fact that 3.7 million of those vote were not cast from the .co.uk area….only 300,000 were from the Uk itself….the rest were from around the world…..should the UK government now take instruction from other countries?

    29
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    Mute Fred Johnson
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    Jul 10th 2016, 12:31 PM

    Bingo – another name for direct democracy would be mob rule. You do not get a gold star every time you tell us how much you love democracy. I am absolutely correct when i say this referendum is non-binding, has no legal standing, and that sovereignty rests with parliament alone.

    1
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    Mute Dmitri Zaitsev
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    Jul 10th 2016, 4:54 PM

    And how many protesters in London were genuine people?

    1
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    Mute Trish Boland
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    Jul 11th 2016, 12:07 AM

    Well, they’re not going to ignore the result, otherwise what was the point in calling the referendum in the 1st place?
    Yes parliament may be sovereign, but they don’t generally ignore referendum results – if they do, its at their peril…
    The result is clearcut – Brexit means Brexit. The UK is leaving the EU, the 43 year marriage is finally over.

    1
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    Mute Patricia Boland
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    Jul 11th 2016, 12:11 AM

    Well, they’re not going to ignore the result, otherwise what was the point in calling the referendum in the 1st place?
    Yes parliament may be sovereign, but they don’t generally ignore referendum results – if they do, its at their peril…
    The result is clearcut – Brexit means Brexit. The UK is leaving the EU, the 43 year marriage is finally over.

    1
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:47 PM

    Correct decision. The online petition was, apparently, heavily accessed by non-UK nationals and the petition is, therefore, void.

    165
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:08 PM

    Oh…..that poor dog in the picture stuck with folk that don’t like democracy!…. #sadnessinhiseyes

    143
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:10 PM

    You must be a fan of sky then ;)

    4
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:19 PM
    59
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:32 PM

    No, as my comments on it are largely posted 24 hours after I write them if I’m lucky, they know how to spin stories to their liking…

    3
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:33 PM

    That was a joke about you being a fan…

    4
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:43 PM
    2
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    Mute Dave Smith
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:33 PM

    what a stupid article, it didnt mention that the majority of the petition was filled in from around the globe. Journal.ie the jobridge of journalism

    139
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    Mute Karl Haycock
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:48 PM

    Ah Dave, don’t bash the Journalists of The Journal…hits a hard job having to search google/twitter and hitting CTRL C…CTRL V constantly throughout the day. Probably the fittest thumbs and forefingers in the country.

    40
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    Mute Tariq ibn Ziyad
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:59 PM

    This post-Referendum whinge-fest by the Remain side has left a rotten taste in the mouth of true liberals and those on the left such as myself. Maybe the young hipsters of London who didn’t go out and vote might learn a valuable life lesson regarding apathy,when your trip to your paleo café is more important than voting expect to be disappointed. This petition and the ageist,bigoted reaction to the result and non-acceptance of it is an affront to democracy and liberal values.

    119
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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:08 PM

    Considering a fair amount of signatures came from the Vatican city. This is no surprise. Referendum is done . Get over it.

    99
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:06 PM

    People all over the world signed it, it was stated that only under 300,000 signatures are genuine.
    An example is 29,000 signatures from Vatican City but only 800 live in Vatican City and it is full of that… Not genuine at all.

    97
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    Mute Super Ted
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:16 PM

    If the referendum result is ignored or a second referendum was called, with the “stay” side winning, there would be mass civil unrest with rioting on the streets and burning down of Parliament buildings and rightly so. Democracy must not be subverted, it this happens, law abiding citizens in large numbers will take the law into their own hands. For the people who signed the petition demanding a second referendum, be careful what you wish for!

    82
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:36 PM

    Are you alleging that pro-brexiters are not peaceful people?

    19
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    Mute Michael Collins
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    Jul 10th 2016, 8:44 AM

    People referendums in the UK are not legally binding ! They are parliamentary monarchy state.

    1
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    Mute Odhran MacMurchadha
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:55 PM

    Right decision………..given that 2 million of the signatures came from the Vatican City.

    67
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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:37 PM

    It goes to show that the British goverment has respect for their citizens choice unlike the shisters we have when they got the wrong vote acording to their opinion they reran several referendums hence the quagmire we find ourselves in

    62
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    Mute Willy
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:00 PM

    Surprised Enda didn’t sway it ☺

    58
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:08 PM

    He did his best with Hogan…

    35
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    Mute Karl Haycock
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:22 PM

    Sure anyone from any country could have signed that petition. It was hardly an “official” document by any means.

    54
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    Mute Rob O'Brien
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:32 PM

    The main cause of economic upset is uncertainty, this faffing about the place slowing down the process rather than calling article 50 and getting on with it, will do more damage than the actual act of leaving.

    35
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    Mute Gareth Stewart
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:47 PM

    Complete and utter clusterfu(k!

    30
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    Mute decky smith
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:57 PM

    4 million foreigners

    29
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    Mute garb yakob
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:50 PM

    Youre not trapped in the UK, move to another eu country, if it means that much to you! Ireland will probably take you for starters :p ironically

    28
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    Mute Tina Kanayo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:59 PM

    Really, no offence but Ireland cant even afford the North. So we can hardly be taking in four million extra English nationals.

    20
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    Mute John Travers
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:16 PM

    Absolutely incorrect. Britain subsidises the North to the tune of £6 billion sterling a year. A study carried out suggested that a united 32 county republic would bring in an extra €30 billion to the economy. http://www.her.ie/news/study-shows-united-ireland-boost-economy-e30-billion/284156

    18
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    Mute Benny McHale
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:02 PM

    So if they had a second referendum and this time “Stay” won, that would be one all.

    Would they then have a decider?

    27
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    Mute Damien Aulsberry
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:57 PM

    Not it would go to penalties and both sides would lose ;)

    13
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    Mute Benny McHale
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:07 PM

    They could always do aggregate scores.

    6
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    Mute Damien Aulsberry
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:33 PM

    or they could have a dance off around the maypole

    5
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    Mute Bren MC
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    Jul 10th 2016, 8:34 AM

    Nah have another one and take the best of 3.

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    Mute Jonny bee
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:24 PM
    24
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    Mute Jonny bee
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:25 PM

    Europe is sinking

    40
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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:43 PM

    Yes it is Jonny, it’s time for the Irish to wake up!

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    Mute Patrick Denny
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:00 PM

    And do what??

    2
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    Mute Bernard Biggar
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:46 PM

    It is not up to the British Government to take that decision! The Petition needs to be considered and voted on in Parliament!

    24
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    Mute Tariq ibn Ziyad
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:50 PM

    It was up to the British people,and the majority of them voted to leave the EU in a democratic referendum. Maybe you’re more a Pyongyang kinda guy.

    152
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:11 PM

    It is a fake petition Bernard.

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    Mute Paddy Ryan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:18 PM

    It was never going to be a runner anyway. Online petitions are about as much use as saying “amen” after a Facebook post. They’re way too easily manipulated and there’s nobody really listening anyway.The British people voted to leave and now they must bear the consequences. I see the Austrian president is trying a little reverse psychology to try and hurry them up by saying that they won’t really leave. Sterling is officially the worst performing currency of 2016 so far behind the Argentine Peso , the main political parties are in shreds, the Union is in danger and Brexit hasn’t even begun yet. “Sow the wind” springs to mind.

    38
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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:41 PM

    Paddy, Hasn’t he just stepped down!? I’m not sure it matters what he says now. Also, there is going to be a re-run of the Austrian presidential race….

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    Mute Paddy Ryan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:00 PM

    Of course the fact he stepped down didn’t stop the usual crys of “the *boo hiss* EU elites are going to over throw democracy ” from the Brexiters until it was pointed out that a quick exit is exactly what the *boo hiss* EU wants.

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    Mute clad
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    Jul 9th 2016, 11:17 PM

    Lads

    1
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    Mute Milkybar Kid
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    Jul 10th 2016, 7:05 AM

    Amen

    1
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    Mute ✨
    Favourite ✨
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:11 PM

    Look at the lovely dog

    22
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:37 PM

    March for Europe, a bit monthist arent they. Why not June for Europe or even August for Europe when its warmer or is that just my sarcasm ;)

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    Mute UndieGrundy
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:58 PM

    Those 4 million, or at least those of that 4 million registered to vote in UK referendums, will have another shot at it within two years, and that’s assuming it gets that far without the serious prospect of an interim government taking a unilateral decision to ignore the public vote we just had.

    18
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    Mute stopit
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:54 PM

    you can’t overturn a referendum with a petition BUT some people don’t seem to realise that the referendum wasn’t legally binding.

    Democracy is more complex than saying yes or no to something.

    Ireland at least has years of debate and polls before a referendum.

    It’s especially worrying considering all the champions of Brexit (other than fruitbat Leadsom) have either resigned or left the stage

    17
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    Mute Odhran MacMurchadha
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:57 PM

    Not to mention that chaos within the ranks of the party which caused the vote in the first instance.
    And the political demise of its chief orchestrator Cameron.

    24
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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:00 PM

    “Ireland at least has years of debate and polls before a referendum” And if the correct decision isn’t reached we vote again. Now that’s democracy!

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:13 PM

    beachmaster >The first vote had a very low turnout the second had more votes. If you want to talk democracy making sure enough people vote to represent the majority is the correct thing to do. I don’t think referendums should be binding without a limit on turnout. in the UK situation it appears there was enough of a turnout although youth turnout appears to be low

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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:43 PM

    Kalpers, I think you’re a remainer? The truth is there is no way you would be asking for a re-run had the vote gone the way you wanted.

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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:53 PM

    Ireland and democracy in the same sentence! Wow. That’s something I never expected to see.

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    Mute Eoin Hurley
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:51 PM

    Because we’re a republic not a democracy Rodrigo ya troll

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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:47 PM

    A half assed Republic where the rich and well connected can do as they please!

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    Mute Naberius
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:53 PM

    The rich and well connected do as they please everywhere.

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    Mute Patrick Denny
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:56 PM

    Interestingly, earlier in the campaign, Farage made exactly that point, he said something along the lines of a 45/55% margin not being definitive enough

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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:22 PM

    Kal, IIRC, the turnout for the 17-24 year old was 75%. The overall turnout was 72%. Far better figures than any recent GE.

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    Mute Simon Gaites
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    Jul 9th 2016, 11:30 PM

    Is that a serious comment? Republics can be democracies you know.

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    Mute Gerard Heery
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:54 PM

    Measure once cut twice come to mind

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    Mute Old Gabby Johnson
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    Jul 9th 2016, 1:58 PM

    Measure twice cut once also comes to mind.

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    Mute Les McQueen
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:02 PM

    Bigger measures, cut faster.

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:10 PM

    Circumcision doesn’t even work that way?

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    Mute AGuyWithARant
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:13 PM

    Im surprised democracy prevailed, let this Glorious Revolution begin!

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    Mute Tina Kanayo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:21 PM

    The pound posted a third week of declines spurred by the Brexit vote, winning itself the title of 2016’s worst performer among major currencies. Sterling’s rally on Friday barely dented its 2.7 percent slide versus the dollar in the preceding four days. The U.K. currency this week overtook the Argentine peso as the biggest loser versus the dollar among 31 major peers in 2016 as investors continued to digest the fallout from the June 23 referendum decision to leave the European Union. -Bloomberg-

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    Mute bingo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:41 PM

    Tina, It will help exports.

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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Jul 9th 2016, 5:24 PM

    It certainly would, bingo. Unfortunately the UK is a predominantly service-based economy which relies very heavily on imports. We’ve been relying on food imports alone since before the First World War.

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    Mute decky smith
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:26 PM

    The mohamedds are comimg and they arent stopping fpr shite

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    Mute Randal McNally
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    Jul 9th 2016, 2:11 PM

    I Just heard a comment on the campaigners for the Brexit referendum. The British who wanted the referendum seem to be like a Dog who kept chasing Cars, but never knows what to when it catches one ?!

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    Mute mickmc
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    Jul 9th 2016, 3:21 PM

    They could at least wait till they’re given a sweater deal before calling for a 2nd vote.

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    Mute Paddy Moretti
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    Jul 10th 2016, 10:37 AM

    I don’t think free jumpers would swing the vote either way.

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    Mute Michael Collins
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    Jul 10th 2016, 8:38 AM

    Dear UK. Please leave right now. No stalling Best regards The other 27

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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Jul 10th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Probably lots of children signed it

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    Mute Simon Gaites
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:03 PM

    Just to complete the article…. Yes, the government dismissed the result but it is not up to them. “This petition has over 100,000 signatures. The Petitions Committee will consider it for a debate. They can also gather further evidence and press the government for action. The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government.”

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    Mute Patrick Denny
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    Jul 9th 2016, 4:53 PM

    Don’t they have any constitutional provisions that would at least require a parliamentary debate to take place given that a cohort almost equal to the population of Ireland signed a petition?

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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:27 PM

    Vast majority of those signing the petition were NOT UK nationals…as stated many times above. The number who actually voted in favour of Leaving was in excess of 17 million. What has the population of Ireland got to do with anything?

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    Mute Pat Gorman
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:34 PM

    A second UK referendum probably will happen.
    Those Germans are tough guys.
    After a head on clash between Britain and Germany guess what will happen?
    A second UK referendum.
    .
    (The Germans REALLY do rule Europe.)

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    Mute AGuyWithARant
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:46 PM

    Pat the eu is being tough on the uk so they have said that the uk has to leave, they want other countries to think that if they “vote wrong” there are no second chances, plus the UK was the only country that could block things like the army and police force they have tried to get passed multiple times.

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