Brexit: Plethora of petitions push for London independence and another EU referendum

Only hours after it was announced that the UK has voted to get out of the European Union, a raft of petitions have been filed either supporting or opposing the referendum outcome. The petitions range from a second referendum to getting independence for London.

A Parliament petition set up seeking for a second referendum to be held on the UK's membership in the EU gathered a staggering 181,483 signatures in a matter of hours. The petition is open to British citizens or UK residents only.

Petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures require a government response while those that garner more than 100,000 signatures will be considered for debate in parliament.

The petition, started by William Oliver Healey on Friday 24 June states: "We the undersigned call upon HM Government to implement a rule that if the Remain or Leave vote is less than 60%, based on turnout less than 75%, there should be another referendum."

The Independent reports that the 48% of voters who opted to keep the UK in the EU must have been "so mortified" by the Leave outcome that they had set up the parliamentary petition for a second referendum. But the petition's webpage was down at 9.04am in the morning while by 11.54am, the 100,000 threshold was already hit with 101,526 signatures.

The Independent added: "Of course, a second referendum would almost certainly be rejected, as referenda are not the sort of thing you get a second crack at."

Independence for London?

Another petition, set up at Change.org wants London to be declared independent from the UK and be allowed to apply to join the EU. The petition was set up by James O'Malley from the British capital and this petition has received a total of 76,983 signatures.

The petition states: "London is an international city and we want to remain at the heart of Europe. Let's face it - the rest of the country disagrees. So rather than passive aggressively vote against each other at every election, let's make the divorce official and move in with our friends on the continent."

The petition calls on newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan to declare London independent and apply to join the EU. This includes membership of the Schengen Zone and perhaps even the euro. "Mayor Sadiq, wouldn't you prefer to be President Sadiq? Make it happen!" it ends.

Khan has issued a statement stating that it is crucial that London be given a voice at the re-negotiations, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland. The pro-EU mayor said: "Although we will be outside the EU, it is crucial that we remain part of the single market.

"Leaving the single market of 500 million people - with its free-trade benefits - would be a mistake. I will be pushing the government to ensure this is the cornerstone of the negotiations with the EU," Khan added.

John Gowers from Bath said: "One pound in every five earned by Londoners is used to fund the rest of the UK. Londoners are only able to elect around 11% of MPs in the Commons; Londoners have 'no say' in how the vast majority of MPs are elected, yet they are still subject to their laws."

He said: "An independent London would be able to impose an Australian-style points-based immigration system at its border, if that were not such a terrible idea. Even better, it would be eligible to apply to join the EU and the Schengen Area, allowing free movement into London from the EU and helping to facilitate the diversity of which Londoners are so proud."

Gowers added: "Of course, by far the best argument for London independence is the economic one. As an independent city-state and the newest EU member, London could reassert its status as one of the financial capitals of the world."

Independence Day

The third petition filed in Parliament is for 23 June to be designated as Independence Day and be celebrated annually. "If we leave the EU, the UK will be an independent country for the first time since 1974, the petition says.

However, much less successful so far, it only has drawn 1,967 signatures. The petition was signed by John Dodd and will run until 3 September.