news | Media roundup on Brexit: politics and education

The UnTied Kingdom.

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In a historic vote on Thursday, the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union, causing panic in worldwide markets and a sea change in British politics. The end of Britain's 43-year relationship with the European Union shocked the world, shrouding the entire continent's future in uncertainty. Here's what you may have missed.

Politics

David Cameron announced his resignation as Prime minister earlier today. He will stay on to manage the transition until a new PM can be chosen in October. The abrupt end of his six-year tenure comes after his majority re-election in 2015.

After Scotland voted overwhelmingly in favor of remaining in the EU, the Scottish government is once again considering a second independence referendum that could see Scotland separate from the United Kingdom. Such a vote would come just two years after the historic 2014 referendum. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), argues that Brexit represents the "significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will," that would trigger such a vote, in a statement broadcast on her Twitter account.

Labour MPs have called for the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour party, the BBC reports. He has been criticized for his lukewarm support of the Remain campaign, although the motion of no confidence is not likely to unseat him.

Education

Universities throughout the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge, and major Scottish institutions have released official statements regarding the referendum result, largely seeking to reassure staff and students worried about political instability and university attendance following Brexit. Cambridge put out an unusually terse statement: 

"We note this result with disappointment. My position on this issue is well known, but 52% of voters in the Referendum disagreed. We will work with our partners in business, research and academia, as well as our European partners and the Government, to understand the implications of this outcome."

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Posted 25 Jun 2016. Developing...