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Dover district's reaction to the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

A Dover migrant charity has had one of the most scathing reactions after the referendum result.

Samphire condemned "scaremongering" during the debate over the most contentious issue - immigration.

And the irony is that the result comes out during Refugee Week, which ends on Sunday.

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Dover district voted by nearly two-thirds to leave the EU.
Dover district voted by nearly two-thirds to leave the EU.

The event is seen by asylum seeker supporters as a way of helping explode, as they see it, myths on the subject.

A spokesman said: "Samphire has been shocked and saddened by the tone of the debate surrounding immigration in the EU Referendum.

"Much of the campaigning focused on issues relating to immigration, yet there was little factually accurate information available for people to base their decisions on.

The charity also made a direct attack on a Ukip campaign poster showing a mass of migrants with the slogan: "Breaking point."

The spokesman add: Scare-mongering messages about Britain being at 'breaking point' were negative, misleading and divisive.

"Samphire will continue to raise awareness about migration and related issues in the local area, provide unbiased information and myth-bust commonly held misconceptions about migration, with a view to building a more cohesive local community that values the contributions of all.

Samphire thinks that migrants make a positive contribution to our local area and wants to send out a message of friendship and support to migrants in the Dover area who might be feeling nervous or targeted after the EU referendum campaign.'

Dover council leader Paul Watkins will retire as leader and ward councilor for St Margaret's-at-Cliffe on Saturday, September 30
Dover council leader Paul Watkins will retire as leader and ward councilor for St Margaret's-at-Cliffe on Saturday, September 30

Meanwhile Dover District Council leader Paul Watkins said he was one of those pleased at the vote to leave the EU. But he was was disappointed at David Cameron’s resignation.

He said: “The people have spoken and I voted to leave.

“As leader of a local authority I have to deal a lot with the European funding system and it is difficult getting any grants out of the door because of the red tape.

“Also asylum and immigration issues are those that should be deal with by this country and not influenced by the EU.”

The Conservative council leader added: “I am disappointed that Mr Cameron has resigned.

"I don’t think he should have. This was not a personal vote against him and I hope there won’t be in-fighting in the party during the leadership contest.”

MP Charlie Elphicke.
MP Charlie Elphicke.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke, who had wanted to stay in the EU, tweeted a message of support for Mr Cameron.

He wrote: "As Prime Minister David has brought Britain back from the edge, increasing jobs & growth. Proud to serve in his Government."

Despite the disappointment on his camp he had earlier this morning tweeted: "Big turnout. Clear result. Let's roll up our sleeves and make this work."

"We can now untangle ourselves from our Euro partners," Craig Mackinlay, Sandwich MP

Dover district voted 62.1% to leave the EU, a total 40.410 votes to go against 24,606 to stay.

The national vote was 51.9% to leave the EU and 48.1% to stay.

P&0 Ferries, one of Kent's biggest employers, who business takes it to to European mainland every day, was one organisation that did not want to comment.

A spokesman said this morning: "As a company we are not wishing comment."

The Bishop of Dover, the Right Rev Trevor Willmott
The Bishop of Dover, the Right Rev Trevor Willmott

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Dover, the Right Rev Trevor Willmott, called for the country to stay unified by love, saying we should continue to welcome the refugee.

He said: "This decision has challenged much of our well established political rhetoric and practice. The closeness of the vote reveals strongly held views on the right way forward for our country but now we must begin the vital process of coming together.

“In normal circumstances I would be pleased to see David Cameron go but if we end up with someone like Boris Johnson, the phrase going to hell in a handbasket comes to mind.” - Labour councillor Mike Eddy

"Whatever our views on Europe, we have a duty to continue to bear with one another in love, to seek to welcome the stranger and care for the refugee whatever our future immigration policies.

"Let us pray for grace and wisdom for the tasks that lie ahead."

Mike Eddy, leader of the Labour group on Dover District council, had campaigned to Remain in the EU.

This morning, he said: “I think we’re seeing exactly what we anticipated from a Leave vote, which is that the pound is now in free fall, which means that anyone that goes on holiday in the next few months, their money will not go as far as it used to.

Cllr Mike Eddy
Cllr Mike Eddy

"The stock market is also in free fall. People on pensions or with savings in an ISA will find that they’re not bringing in as big a return.

"It’s extremely depressing for the majority of people.”

He added: “In normal circumstances I would be pleased to see David Cameron go but if we end up with someone like Boris Johnson with Mr Gove as chancellor, the phrase going to hell in a handbasket comes to mind.”

David Little, the former parliamentary candidate for Ukip in the 2015 election, said he was delighted with today's news.

He said: “It’s a wonderful day for democracy.

“To those of us, too many to mention, that have pounded the streets, knocked on doors, been called xenophobes, racists and Little Englanders, this is the sweetest victory.

Former Ukip candidate David Little
Former Ukip candidate David Little

"A triumph of people power over the establishment, of believing in ourselves despite countless knock backs.

“Let’s enjoy ourselves and celebrate Independence Day without gloating but revel in the fact that we were right all along, we have great faith in ordinary British people, we’ll make us great again.”

Dover Mayor Neil Rix
Dover Mayor Neil Rix

Dover Mayor Neil Rix said: “I voted to leave and now I’m looking forward to the future.

"I don’t think it’s all going to be doom and gloom like they say. I think the future’s bright ahead.

“I don’t like being governed by someone in a different country. My dad fought the war for an independent Britain and I want to put the great back into Britain.”

EU grants are given to smaller organisations including town and parish councils and Clr RIx said: “I look and the bigger picture and we get everything we need from central government.”

Deal Mayor David Cronk - voted to stay.
Deal Mayor David Cronk - voted to stay.

But Deal Mayor David Cronk had voted to stay and said: "I am disappointed and actually still in shock.

"I work in a freight company and this will affect our ability to move goods to Europe.

"It is shocking that this district voted to leave as well but on the other hand I think it was the immigration issue that affected this."

Sandwich MP Craig Mackinlay said: "This will be an amicable divorce" after hearing the decision to leave, which he had campaigned for.

The Conservative continued: "I'm delighted about the result and I actually thought Thanet's majority would be higher but the area did its bit.

"The referendum is what I got into politics for and I am very pleased for Britain, for democracy and the potential for our future.

Craig Mackinlay MP
Craig Mackinlay MP

"We can now untangle ourselves from our Euro partners and if they want to create the country of Europe that is fine but we have been very honest and said that won't work for us.

"This will be an amicable divorce and we will look back in a few years and say it was a great decision.

"I am saddened by the resignation of David Cameron and I thought there was a place for him, a place to stay and head up our negotiations with a Brexit team around him.

"He is one of the reasons that me and other politicians got elected and he has done great work in turning around this country.

"The economy is no different today than it was yesterday, there would have always been uncertainty but it just a blip and will turn back around within the next week.

"Britain will now have to gather advice on our exit strategy before pushing the button on Article 50, but that doesn't need to happen right away.

"I think it has given us hope for the future and it is great that Parliament will be sovereign again."

Peter Jull, the chairman of the chamber of trade
Peter Jull, the chairman of the chamber of trade

Chairman of Deal Chamber of Trade Peter Jull said the Leave result will have a “minimal” impact on trade in Deal, including our high street.

the "reluctant" Brexit voter, said: “The first thing we can get on with is to start negotiating trade deals with non EU countries. Now we’re going to be free there’s no reason to delay that like they are waiting until September with Europe.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Gleave, spokesman for the Dover and Deal Green Party, was "heartbroken".

She said: “I think it’s very very worrying for young people. In some parts of the country its up to 75% of young people who voted for remain. There are divisions between the generations on this, most young people wanted to remain, and who are going to suffer the consequences?

“If we had had Proportional Representation then we would have had 10 green party MPs in this Parliament and 10 Ukip MPs in this Parliament and the issues could have been resolved without this damaging referendum."

Port of Dover chief executive Tim Waggott.
Port of Dover chief executive Tim Waggott.

The Port of Dover believes it will be business as usual despite this drastic change.

Tim Waggott, chief executive, said: “Naturally there is uncertainty following the outcome of the EU referendum, on that we have been clear for some time.

"Our organisation, our community and our business partners have risen to many challenges in the past and I am sure we will continue to do so in order that Dover retains its rightful position as a key port delivering for our island nation.

"Europe remains the UK’s biggest export market, it is also the supplier of a large proportion of our imports, and the estimated £119billion of trade in goods handled via the Port of Dover will very definitely not cease overnight.

"We will remain resolute in our commitment to being the best port in the world for our customers and community, however that world changes from time to time, and dare I say as it has been constantly changing throughout the last 410 years since our organisation has been responsible for this gateway.”

Clive Stevens, executive chairman of accountancy Kreston Reeves, which an office in Sandwich as well as Canterbury and Chatham, said there would be no immediate "material impact".

He said: "The sun still rises tomorrow and we will all go to work. The impact is in the longer term."

The general reaction from shoppers in Deal High Street was that they were pleased with the outcome.

Charles LeBron, 64, originally from Malta, shared his opinion in Deal High Street
Charles LeBron, 64, originally from Malta, shared his opinion in Deal High Street

Charles LeBron, 64, originally from Malta, came to Deal aged nine. He returned to his home country in 1974 and then came back to Deal in 2007. He was undecided which way to vote until Wednesday but eventually voted Leave.

He said: “I think yesterday’s decision was right. It is the people’s country and you cannot go against what the people say.

“England has always been a good country and I can see it getting stronger.

“Foreigners are needed, yes, but I think it should be controlled and through this they can now control who they bring into the country.

“I think this could be the start of the collapse of the European Union or make it weaker.

"There are countries such as Netherlands, Italy, France and Austria, all waiting to see what England voted. Even us, the Maltese, we’re not happy with Europe.”

Some are taking full advantage of the drop in the pound. Emma Pullen, of the British Hovercraft Company sent out a promotional circular this afternoon with the slogan: "Our Hovercraft are 20% cheaper than yesterday."

More local reaction to the UK voting to leave the EU to come.

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