With Thursday’s votes now tabulated, it’s official that the U.K. is leaving the E.U. But that doesn’t mean all Brits are accepting the news quietly.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has made her displeasure with the decision known through a string of Tweets, which began with, “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted magic more.”
Earlier this week, she posted a lengthy statement on her website, revealing her sentiments on the matter.
Addressing the situation of what was then only a possible departure, she wrote, “As this country has entered what will come to be seen as one of the most divisive and bitter political campaigns ever waged within its borders, I’ve thought a lot about the rules for creating villains. We are being asked whether we wish to remain part of the European Union and both sides of this campaign have been telling us stories.”
She continued, “I don’t mean that in the sense of lying (although lies have certainly been told). I mean that they are appealing to us through our universal need to make sense of the world by storytelling and that they have not been afraid to conjure monsters calculated to stir up our deepest fears.”
The outspoken author then compared the campaign of those supporters on the ‘leave’ side to that of Donald Trump.
Finally, she threw her support behind the ‘remain’ effort when she wrote, “No, I don’t think the EU’s perfect. Which human union couldn’t use improvement? From friendships, marriages, families and workplaces, all the way up to political parties, governments and cultural economic unions, there will be flaws and disagreements. Because we’re human. Because we’re imperfect. So why bother building these ambitious alliances and communities?”
Answering her own question, she added, “Because they protect and empower us, because they enable bigger and better achievements than we can manage alone. We should be proud of our enduring desire to join together, seeking better, safer, fairer lives, for ourselves and for millions of others.”
Agreeing with J.K. and expressing sadness at the U.K.’s ruling are James Corden and Richard Branson, among others.
Check out J.K.’s full commentary below, as well as Tweets from James and Richard. What do you think about the U.K.’s departure from the E.U? Share your thoughts with us!
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted magic more. https://t.co/gVNQ0PYIMT
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
Goodbye, UK. https://t.co/HMRA0AnlWR — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron’s legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen. https://t.co/4MDj7pndcq
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
Brexiteers like the cheating man shocked he can’t stay in the spare room for 2 years while he sorts himself out. https://t.co/Xvjfr6ifPv — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
This is what happens when you try and fix a faulty watch with a hammer. https://t.co/kJSLNfkNnB
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
I can’t get my head around what’s happening in Britain.I’m so sorry to the youth of Britain. I fear you’ve been let down today x
— James Corden (@JKCorden) June 24, 2016
Leaving the EU is a very sad decision that will do huge damage to Britain’s prosperity & Europe’s stability: https://t.co/TAkUH04WKg
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) June 24, 2016