So the referendum is over and we are no longer a member of the European Union – and it sucks. I have no shame in admitting that I voted ‘Remain’.

When I first learnt the news, as well as being very disappointed, I was angry. Angry at the people who voted to leave. I assumed they were all doing it for selfish reasons. Walking down the high street, later that day, and noticing the elderly, I cursed them in my head, for being in one of the brackets who voted to leave.

A day later, I am feeling slightly different. Yes, I am still disappointed and yes, I still believe it was the wrong decision to leave, and something we will pay for in the future. However, my anger is not directed at the voters. We live in a country where we have the freedom to vote, without prejudice. This is something which we should cherish, as there are many places in the world where people are not given such a privilege. I may strongly disagree with those who voted ‘Leave’, but I respect their opinion and right to vote. After all, had we remained in the EU, I would be against anyone criticising my vote.

What I do think was handled badly were the campaigns in the run up to the referendum. Tabloid papers did a good job at trying to convince the British public that by leaving the EU, all our immigration issues would be solved, when in fact, there is nothing to suggest this is the case. There were also leaflets and posters suggesting that by cutting funding to the EU, more money would be available to the NHS. This has since been ruled out by pro-leave campaigners – funny how they only say this after the result!

As our Prime Minister, David Cameron should have done more to sell the positives of remaining in the EU, as should leaders of other parties. The one major difference I would have liked to have seen in the whole handling of the referendum, would have been to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. At that age, you can marry, as well as join the Army and go to war. It seems strange that young people of that age were not allowed to vote in something of such importance for the rest of their lives.

Nobody knows for sure what will happen as a result of Britain leaving the EU – we will just have to wait and see what unfolds and pray for the best. A sad day.