AFTER several months of debate and campaigning the UK has made its decision, and that is to leave the European Union.

As results filtered in this morning, it became clear that the Leave campaign was narrowly going to edge to victory.

Like many councils across the UK, Basingstoke and Deane voted to leave with 52,071 votes to the remains 48,257 and a turnout of 78 per cent.

The reaction to the results which has been labelled the UK's "independence day" by UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been mixed across the borough.

Alan Stone the chair of UKIP Hampshire and referendum agent for UKIP in Basingstoke said: “Today is a great result and the country did not listen to project fear.

“I was impressed by the reaction of the people of Basingstoke as we had worked hard on our campaign and that work paid off.

“There will be a small adjustment period, but I think in the long term people will see this was the right choice.”

When asked who he would like to see step into David Cameron’s shoes after he announce he would step down, Mr Stone said he thinks one of the ‘Brexit’ supporters should lead the country forward.

Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller, who was a strong supporter of a Remain vote said it is a result for democracy and is a democratic decision.

"It's important that we make this decision work for Basingstoke and for the country,” said Mrs Miller

"There are half a million jobs in the south east which are dependent on our trade abroad and I want to make sure that the deal we strike to leave the EU does as much as it can to safeguard the prosperity."

Mrs Miller added: “I have supported David Cameron from the start. I has been a fantastic Prime Minister.

“It is sad to see him step down.”

As the UK enters a period of uncertainty as new deals are negotiated on a major day in British history, many MPs have called for calm heads in the coming weeks and months.

Kit Malthouse North West Hampshire MP added: “Following this historic decision calm heads and steady hands are needed as we start to bind our country together and steer it on a bright new path.”

Leader of the Basingstoke Labour group, and Remain supporter, Councillor Paul Harvey described the result as a “very sad morning”.

Cllr Harvey said: “The impact of this result is going to be huge. For a town like Basingstoke who have a close relationship there will be an impact.

“As a town and a nation we need to heal and we need to work together to decide what is the best action going forward.”

When the news broke this morning many people took to Facebook to air their views on the result.

Karen Copeland posted:  "Whether you voted in or out at the end of the day it's your decision and is important to you as an individual not any one else.

"No ones vote was for anyone else and they shouldn't be made to feel that they made the wrong decision just because you don't agree with it after all we all have to walk the road ahead together."

Silvia Martin added: "I'm gutted. The pound sunk like a stone. Years of uncertainty whilst everything's unraveled.

"But hey ho, I've got to bite into this sour apple, like it or not, coz that's democracy for you."