KEIGHLEY-district people have this morning been waking up to the news that Britain has voted to leave the European Union.

The country has voted by 52 to 48 per cent to exit the EU.

In Bradford district, 54.2 per cent (123,913) voted to leave and 45.8 per cent (104,575) to remain.

Shortly after the result was confirmed, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he intended to resign.

The momentous result, following a bitterly fought referendum campaign, has already polarised opinions locally, with Keighley's MP Kris Hopkins expressing his disappointment at the outcome, in stark contrast to the reaction from fellow Conservative MP Philip Davies.

Mr Hopkins said: “A majority of those who voted on Thursday have decided that the United Kingdom should give up its membership of the European Union, and this must be respected.

“As a committed Remain campaigner, I am obviously disappointed at the outcome as will the many voters in Keighley and Ilkley who shared my view.

“I am proud to represent such a diverse constituency which is greatly enriched by people from many different backgrounds and nationalities.  

“As the local Member of Parliament, it is my responsibility to continue to represent their interests as keenly as those who hold an alternative view.

“I do not share Nigel Farage’s vision of Britain and I do not want us to become an inward-looking country in the wake of this vote.

“To this end, I am fully committed to working closely with colleagues in Government to deliver the best possible deal for the United Kingdom as we prepare to leave the EU.

“I also wish to pay tribute to David Cameron who kept his pledge to deliver a referendum for the British people. 

“He has been a friend to Keighley and Ilkley, first as Conservative Leader and for the last six years as Prime Minister.  His decision to step down is a great loss to our country.”         

Mr Davies – whose Shipley constituency includes Cullingworth and Denholme – said he was very optimistic about Britain's future following its historic vote to leave the EU.

"I am extremely proud of Britain and very proud of Yorkshire and the Bradford district," said Mr Davies.

"We showed that we wouldn't be bullied and we would not be taken for granted.

"When I was the only MP in 2005 saying we should leave the EU and when I launched Better Off Out in 2006, I didn't think that a decade later we would be out of the EU.

"Our country has a great future ahead of us and it is the responsibility of politicians now to deliver what the public have asked for – not least properly controlling immigration which we will be able to do when we complete our withdrawal from the EU."

Former Bradford Council leader and Worth Valley councillor Sir Eric Pickles said he was "very sad" at the decision.

"But that is how democracy works so we have to get on with it," he added.

Keighley town councillor Ian Dermondy, who recently left the UK Independence Party but had said he would continue to support the leave campaign, commented: “Thank you to everyone who voted leave, making this the best day ever. Today marks our Independence Day.

“It has been a long and hard battle over many years, one that I along with close colleagues of mine are proud to have given our all on. Today I am a very happy man.

“I should need sleep after staying up all night at the count and covering as a polling agent through the day, but you know what, I’m too happy to be tired.”

But the Rev Peter Mayo-Smith, rector of Haworth Parish Church, says: “So now the nightmare begins.

"I fear for the future of my grandchildren. What mess have we left them? What country will they grow up in? Not one that is united but fragmented.

"A once great nation now reduced to dust!”

Keighley West Labour district councillor, Cath Bacon, said: “I'm sat watching as the value of the pound drops, impacting markets around the world.

“If the FTSE crashes this will have a devastating effect on pensions, savings and loans alike. Prices will rise for imports and you'll have less money in your pocket.”

Liz Barker, of Stanbury, tweeted: "It's a whole new world; a tsunami of change. Shocks will be felt across the globe."

Keighley town councillor Samuel Fletcher said he had no doubts as to what the referendum result would mean for Britain.

He said: "“Freedom, prosperity and independence as we trade with the world and decide who we want to come here.

"No more silly guaranteed immigration. More money for British public services and Britain's deprived millions.”

* What do you think? Post your comments or email alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk