“We’d need a crystal ball to know what’s going to happen post-Brexit, but my fear is that our economy will go into a major nose-dive. In terms of print media, the sector in which I largely work, that’ll mean an acceleration of a long-term downturn that’s already resulting in job losses, fewer markets and lower rates of pay for both the employed and the self-employed. Looking at the bigger picture, I’m worried about losing the legislation that has improved workers’ rights and provided a degree of environmental protection. Will the Government just scrap those laws? But the worst thing about the actual referendum result is that racists and xenophobes already seem to have been emboldened by it, as if it somehow ‘legitimises’ their language and their actions.

On the plus side… ermmm… I’m sure I’ll think of something…”

“I’ve always been a tad Euroskeptic, because the EU government has been partially broken. But despite its imperfections, I wanted to remain. But as you say, the people have spoken and we’re still European. We need to unite and make this thing work.

I had thought one advantage would be that the silly EU VAT rule would no longer apply, but alas it still applies whether we’re in or out.”

“Having voted Leave I am delighted with the outcome (also shocked as I never thought this would occur!). I feel that everyone has been quick to judge the outcome. I personally chose to leave after extensive research and what swayed me was the information about our British Forces and what the outcome would mean if we stayed. The decision to form a European Army would likely soon come to fruition and this isn’t something I feel would benefit us as a country. How do I feel about it being a freelancer? I am excited for what’s to come, let’s embrace it! We all seem so afraid of it and I feel this will hold us back as a country.

We won’t see a difference for a while and quite honestly I don’t know how it will be different but does anyone just yet?”

“When I woke up Friday morning to find out we had voted to Leave, I was furious. I was anxious too, but the anger was more dominant. It was clear that too many people had been persuaded to vote Leave by lies and fear. Now though, I’m less frustrated. The weekend has made it obvious that there is absolutely no clear plan for exiting the EU and it could takes months if not years to fully leave. I’m just going to get on with life as usual, because at the moment nothing has changed and I don’t think a lot will.
Success is still a result of immense hard work.

Whether we’re in the EU or not won’t change that. I’m at peace with what 51.9% of the voting population decided, and everyone else should be too. Work hard, get results.”

“As an individual I’m mainly shocked at this point. And disappointed. And angry. Basically, there aren’t even enough emojis to express all the feels I’m feeling. It’s made me realise that I do exist in a bit of a social bubble as pretty much everyone in my network was strongly in favour of remaining in the EU, and it seems like a lot of people have realised that Twitter isn’t a robust analysis tool after all.
As someone with a small business I’m mainly scared at this point. On a practical level I’m aware that the cost of living may be set to increase, and so that puts additional pressure on my cashflow and sales. It’s the uncertainty which makes me nervous, and I’m assuming it will make other people nervous too. Nervous people are less likely to spend money. On Thursday afternoon I filled in a survey about my confidence in the freelancer market, and I was cautiously optimistic with my answers. It would be a very different response if I were to take it again today.
Many of my clients are charities, who are often at least part-financed by European Funding, so there’s a worry that there will be less money in budgets for updates to their websites (even when a short term investment like that can have a long term benefit).
However, despite the uncertainty I actually feel somewhat more secure as a freelancer than if I were employed at the moment; at least now I am in control of my own future rather than constantly in fear that the next email from HR relates to job cuts and redundancies.

I’m also hopeful that this will be a catalyst for people to work together and take action in a positive way. “

“OK, I don’t mind admitting I spent most of Thursday dazed and confused – totally bewildered and left-fielded by the Leave win.
Only one person in my Twitter timeline even suggested they weren’t on the same page as me. Surely we were in for a landslide?!
I was angry, too. Even taking to Twitter to berate Leave voters as bellends! On reflection, a tad embarrassing. Although on the plus side, it led to my biggest ever social media reach. Every cloud, eh?!
Anyway, having just read Rohan Silva’s article in today’s Sunday Times (courtesy of Michael Di Paola)… I’ve reconsidered my personal philosophy and started smiling 🙂
It is what it is.

And it’s now our job as creative thinkers, as entrepreneurs, as a nation, to make the most of it, and prove to the world the UK is a world class economy… IN or OUT!”

“Honestly I am surprised, and disappointed. I grew up in the US and the UK, proud to be part of Europe and fortunate to have worked across the European Union and with international teams. These days I hold both US and UK passports, I live in London, self employed as a digital marketing consultant with international clients, many within the EU. For the moment it is business as usual, legally and constitutionally, nothing has changed, nor will it until the UK gives notice to the European Council, at this point the clock starts counting down and the UK has up to 2 years to withdraw from the Union.
Today (Friday 24th June) is a real day of uncertainty and fear as seen by the financial markets and the PM announcing his resignation, but at the same time we need to remember we are currently, and for some time yet still part of the EU and it is going to take time to work out what is going to happen next.The chances are Article 50 may not even be started until a new PM is in place in the Autumn. Will Northern Ireland and Scotland now become separate States to remain in the EU? Is the UK to become the Kingdom of England and Wales? Will this mean EU clients will be less likely to hire from the UK? Will the mean greater opportunities from outside of the EU? Will I remain in the UK? All questions I will be asking myself.
eaving the EU may have huge implications for the UK and its 4.7 million self-employed, but I feel that for the majority, including freelancers like myself, we are agile and flexible enough to take on board the changes and find new opportunities. The thoughts of a fully functional Digital Single Market may now continue without the UK, which I feel could be a missed opportunity as leaders in this area.

One thing we need quickly is clarity.”

“Initially, like many people around me, I was sad and angry with the result as I was strongly in the Remain camp. But now I have realised that whatever we feel, today we must lead by example doing not moaning.
I voted Remain but that doesn’t matter now.
We are still part of a great community of Freelancers. We’re still British. We’re still European. We’re still World citizens. We are still Human.
We are better together. But we have to choose to be.

Conditions are still perfect, opportunity is still everywhere, the future is what we make it”