THERE was jubilation and devastation in equal measure at Petersfield railway station early today as news of the referendum result sunk in.
Commuters, taxi drivers, business people and those off racing at Goodwood for the day had strong opinions on the country’s vote to leave the EU.
“I am absolutely gutted and scared for our future,” said Natalie George, from Guildford. “It’s all up in the air now and I am very concerned about house prices and shares. It’s an absolutely shocking result.”
Also shocked was Jonnie Clout from London who was visiting in-laws in Petersfield. He said being in the London bubble, where most people were for Remain, had made him unduly optimistic.
“I have two kids and it’s about their future and access to Europe. We have made that much more difficult.”
Taxi drivers Steve Matthews from East Meon and Homayoun Danish from Petersfield had very different views.
For Steve, who was very happy with the result, it was all about our sovereignty and taking back control for our country from people who hadn’t been elected and had vested interests.
“It is all about sovereignty for me. It wasn’t about immigration. When you think of the millions of our countryman who died in the two world wars to protect our way of life which we were throwing away,” he said.
But Remain supporter Homayoun said most people he had given rides to in his taxi over the past weeks had been for staying in too.
“I think this result is very bad. This country has been a long time in Europe and now it’s going to take a long time to get out of Europe,” he said. “Most people think of immigration and nothing else.”
Colleagues John Hitchiner from Clanfield and John Stone from Horndean, who work at a prestige motor dealership, were delighted with the result.
John had slight worries about peoples’ lack of confidence in buying cars with the uncertainty that would follow the result, but he felt this would be short-lived.
“Long term, it’s much better for my children, so I’m very happy,” he said.
The risks involved in voting out were not an issue for John. “I think it’s a very good thing. I have young children and it’s all about them really. I have always taken risks and they pay off generally.”
Shawn Taylor of Farnham voted Remain and he was pretty confident of a win.
“I am shocked. When I came out of the polling station last night I thought most people would realise how momentous a decision this was and vote to stay in,” he said.
“I think mostly it’s against immigration.”
Croydon electrician Lee Toogood, who was working in town, voted to leave, but was measured in his response. He said David Cameron had shown himself to be weak, and with his standing down, he was worried about who would take over.
“I don’t know if Boris Johnson is right,” he said.
The economy was a big issue for him.
“We have had recession after recession after recession and as a country we have built up the largest deficit of debt we have ever had. Nobody could have forseen that when we joined the EU 43 years ago.
“I was brought up to believe that charity starts at home. I have no qualms about helping other countries but if we sort our own country out first we will have a better idea of how we can help.
“At the moment we can’t even look after our own people.”