Gazette readers hit back at EU chief over Brexit

Voters in South Tyneside have hit back at an EU chief who claimed Britain will soon regret voting for Brexit.
European Commission president Jean Claude JunckerEuropean Commission president Jean Claude Juncker
European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the European Union will move on and that the UK’s exit would be a “sad and tragic” moment, but it was “not the be all and end all”.

During the annual state of the union address, he insisted the “wind is back in Europe’s sails” and countries were knocking on Brussels’ door to do trade deals with the EU.

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Of Britain leaving the EU Mr Juncker said: “This will be a very sad and tragic moment in our history. We will always regret this, and I think that you will regret it as well, soon.

“Nonetheless we have to respect the will of the British people. We will move on because Brexit isn’t everything, it’s not the future of everything, it’s not the be all and end all.”

South Tyneside saw one of the biggest ‘out’ votes in last year’s referendum, with 49,065 people voting leave and 30,014 remain - 62% to 38%.

Gazette readers are standing by that decision - whatever Mr Juncker believes they may think in the future.

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Dean Swan was one of dozes to take to The Gazette’s Facebook page.

He said: “The speech shows just what a dictatorship it has become. People’s opinions don’t matter anymore just the federalisation of Europe.

“Thank goodness we are leaving.”

Nicola Paulsen added: “The arrogance. The sooner we are out the better.”

Mary Lockey wrote: “Who knows? We might. Then again we might not but it’ll be our mistakes - not a bunch of unelected Brussels beaurocrats.

“Let them have their federal state of Europe.”

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Neil M Robinson said: “Well he’s hardly going to say that the UK are making a fantastic decision is he?

“One of the biggest donors to the EU is jumping ship and he’s not happy about it.”

Lee Chow added: “The quicker we are out the better.”

Stuart Jackson said: “The EU will make it difficult for the UK to leave as it does not want to encourage other member states to leave.

“Do they intend to keep the EU contained by fear?”

Ian Prince believes Mr Juncker may have a point.

He wrote: “We won’t regret it until we are a face at the window looking in.”