It is with deep regret that we learnt today the negative outcome, for British people and for all Europeans, of the UK referendum.
The progressive choice to REMAIN in the EU did not manage to keep at bay the sirens of nationalism, Euroscepticism and navel gazing that have been fuelling British people's fears about their future within the EU and which are driving them into unchartered waters.
Britain has been an integral part of the European Union at all levels: historically, culturally, socially, economically, politically. The EU will be poorer without the UK, and I firmly believe that this also holds true for the UK.
On behalf of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate our UK Labour members for having put up a very brave fight against a populist, deeply polarising and deceitful campaign that brought the country to a point of no return.
We should have no illusions about the day after: Europe is deeply changed by the process of renationalisation of European affairs initiated by the UK referendum.
This is why the remaining members of the EU will have to decide how to make the European ready to face the challenges of the 21st century in a Union of solidarity . We will continue to bring the contribution of our towns, cities and regions to shape our citizens' common future in Europe.
