EU// The United Kingdom will exit the European Union. Average voters won both the battle and war against most of their nation’s political, business, cultural, and media elites. Britain’s stunning vote to bolt the EU sets into motion a lengthy diplomatic divorce for which there is no blueprint, and the economic and political upheaval is likely just beginning, say experts. The immediate effect of the vote, in which Britons voted to leave the 28-nation bloc by a 52-48 margin was Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement that he will step down sometime before October. “The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected,” Cameron said. “I will do everything I can to steady the ship over the coming weeks, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.”

Cameron's successor will play a major role over the next two years or so during negotiations between the UK and the EU on how to separate economies that have become intertwined since 1973.

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson, like Cameron a Conservative, was the most prominent supporter of the “leave” campaign and now becomes a leading contender to replace Cameron. Johnson said Friday he was “sad” to see Cameron resign but didn't say whether he plans to replace him. The split will not isolate Britain, Johnson vowed. “We cannot turn our backs on Europe. We are part of Europe,” he said. “Britain will continue to be a great European power.”