Wirral politicians' reaction to Britain's shock EU exit

The UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union following the historic referendum. 

Turnout was 72% with more than 30m people voting - the highest number since the General Election in 1992. 

Wales and the majority of England outside London voted in large numbers to leave. Scotland was heavily in favour of remaining in the EU. 

Manchester and Liverpool were both in favour of a Remain vote, but the likes of Bolton, Preston and Salford all voted Leave.

Wirral narrowly opted for Remain.

The borough's result was declared around 3.15am and was:

Remain: 88,931 (51.6%)

Leave: 83,069 (48.4%)

Total votes cast: 172,137

Turnout: 70.96%

137 ballots were rejected.

Here's a selection of local views so far...

Frank Field - Birkenhead Labour MP and Leave campaigner: "This is the first clear revolt against globalisation and its undermining of working-class living standards.

"The major task from now on is to reassure Europe that we want our negotiations to be successful for them, but also for Great Britain.

"To that end, the Government needs to be reformed to reflect accurately the views in the Tory Party in Parliament and the country, and have a negotiating team that brings the country together.

"Above all, we now need to think carefully about what our next moves are in disengaging from Europe.

"The last thing we require is precipitative action that serves no one’s interests."

UKIP deputy leader and North West MEP Paul Nuttall: ”This is a momentous day which will go down in the annals of history.

"It is the day we got our country back and put the Great back in to Britain.

“We now have the chance to take control of our own destiny and borders and we can be good neighbours with the European Union rather than tenants.

“I always believed that we could do well vote to leave but the margin has been tremendous and in the North West it was almost two to one to quit the EU - a fantastic result.

“The result of this referendum will shape the direction our country will take in the first half of this century.

"We will be outward looking rather than inwards and we will be a global player signing our own trade deals with emerging economies.”

Phil Gilchrist, Wirral Liberal Democrat group leader, said:

"It is not the outcome I worked and hoped for but I felt it was on the cards.  

"The country has spoken, we now have to plan a new future. We cannot risk setbacks for our region.

"We need to ensure that the  funding currently available for a range of projects, for training and investment in our local and regional economy, is not cut off. The way things are panning out it is uncertain on how the funding streams might be replaced.

We need to press the Government, even though the Prime Minister is on the way out to make plans  to secure equivalent replacement funding.

We have to make it clear that uncertainty is not good for our region. Our region needs to continue the programmes as envisaged.

We need assurances that the UK Government and any successor will match pound for pound any funding streams that are now at risk as a result of the Referendum."

South Wirral Labour MP Alison McGovern, Remain campaigner, on Twitter said: "Many constituents will be waking up fearful today.

"We must now focus on economic crisis and protecting ordinary people."

Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood, Remain campaigner, said on Twitter "A historic day, seismic; people in Wirral voted for Remain, people of Merseyside vote emphatically for Remain.

"Sadly, UK has voted to leave.

"We have to respect the decision - it's our democracy. Let's work together to build the Britain we want to see.

"We need to heal the divisions in our country, working together.

"We must redouble our energies to fight for the rights of working people."

Theresa Griffin, Labour MEP for North West: “It is time to work together, heal the divisions in our country and negotiate the best outcome we can for all of the North West.

“We have to protect jobs, rights, our environment, international research and our advanced manufacturing base and, most importantly, our most deprived communities and most vulnerable people.

“Europe has done so much to regenerate our region, train our people and provide the largest single market for our goods and services.

“We should be leading on the international stage, especially for our young people.

“It's now more important than ever that we take power back from Whitehall into our city regions and regions to build stronger communities and a stronger economy based on Labour values.

“I will continue to represent the North West and will work hand in hand with our local government leaders to get the best deal for the North West.”

PM announces resignation:

Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned following the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

Mr Cameron, who has been in post since 2010, said he would "steady the ship" over the coming months before stepping down in October, and was "very proud" of what he has done as Prime Minister.

Making the announcement outside No 10, Mr Cameron said "fresh leadership" was needed and that he had informed the Queen of his intention.

He added he fought the referendum with "head and heart" but believes Britain can survive outside the EU.

"The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected," he said.

"The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered."