Social media responds to dramatic Brexit result
As news that the UK electorate has voted to leave the EU came in just before 5am, farmers and their representatives took to social media to express their joy, anguish and to offer further analysis.
It was unbridled joy for some – especially at Farmers For Britain, which has led the campaign to leave within agriculture.
https://twitter.com/PaulKingsley16/status/746209163752013829
And despair for others.
https://twitter.com/richardnyo/status/746215829256048645
A more dramatic interpretation came from Scottish farmer S J Drummond.
The BBC saying this is history in action….so was Hitler visiting Munich Beer Halls and that ended well for Europe….
— SJ Drummond (@S_JDrummond) June 24, 2016
Others were just plain shocked.
Cannot quite fathom what has just happened. Buy back all grain positions in the short-term?
— Tom Bradshaw (@ProagriLtd) June 24, 2016
On BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, UKIP spokesman and MEP Stuart Agnew highlighted the short-term benefits of Brexit to the farming economy. With sterling on the way down, wheat prices for this harvest would increase and, if in September it is still weak, then the rate for setting the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme would be advantageous.
NFU vice president Guy Smith said the job was now to sit down with governent and – for the first time in over 40 years – devise a British Agricultural Policy.
“It would be morally and politically irresponsible if our government walks away from supporting farming,” he said. “We must not be left to compete against other farmers who have additional support, or lower costs because of a lighter regulatory regime.
On air now from @essexpeasant farm with @charlottebsmith and @UKIP Stuart Agnew on @BBCRadio4 pic.twitter.com/kgSGeO60pK
— Farming Today (@BBCFarmingToday) June 24, 2016
Back on Twitter, South Downs farmer Tom Gribble had other concerns about the exchange rate. Â
Woken up on hols, glad I changed plenty of £-€ a week ago!! Not happy with it but now for political elite to earn their keep big time 🇪🇺🇬🇧
— Tom Gribble (@farmergribz) June 24, 2016
A more sanguine view was expressed by dairy farmer Rob Harrison.
Collapse in the pound will help in the short term, as a dairy farmer it can't get any worse, others will join us in poverty #teamdairy
— Rob Harrison (@robharrison37) June 24, 2016
Questions were also asked about who would leads the UK in future negotiations with Brussels.
Reality Stuart that we aren't at the table – it is not a negotiation!
— Tom Bradshaw (@ProagriLtd) June 24, 2016
Other questioned the more immediate political future of the current government.
https://twitter.com/AndrewBooton/status/746201459306303488
Will Osborne resign? https://t.co/MHts3u7S3r
— Wheat & Canola (@Arable_Farmer) June 24, 2016
With noises coming from Scotland about another independence referendum, Notts arable farmer John Charles-Jones questioned what it might all mean for the future of the UK and its devolved regions
When you see this, what will be left of the Union? https://t.co/VBsCIhvtvL
— John Charles-Jones (@woodboroughpark) June 24, 2016
The NFU also pointed to the political map emerging from Friday’s voting patterns.
Voting varies across UK; Scotland & NI in; Wales & England out, with remain centred in cities like London & Leeds. pic.twitter.com/EivygBwzcV
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) June 24, 2016