Editorial: Draw the EU curtains and Brexit, stage left

A campaigner wearing a Vote Leave t-shirt and holding a British Union Flag. Photo / Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg

Northland is no stranger to a controversial referendum.

But nothing as politically and socially charged as Britain's decision to pull out of the European Union.

My interest in international politics is mild compared to how I view local body politics.

Because generally, local or central government politics is going to have more impact on my every day life.

And that's the question I ask myself re Brexit - what impact does it have on me?

Northland produces dairy and beef for export, and Britain and Europe are key markets.

So we don't want to see restrictions on our trade. Or on our travel for that matter.

If you believe John Key, then everything is OK, keep calm, carry on.

Around the world, Commonwealth leaders will be affirming the British position because doing so affirms the British economy.

Because nothing screams volatility like changing your position on something as dramatic as your role in the European Union.

You don't need a degree in political science to see that the political cat has been thrown amongst those clockwork pigeons strutting their stuff around Trafalgar Square.

No one really knows what to do next - PM David Cameron has resigned, and has copped criticism for not starting the withdrawal process.

Except that he won't be there to see it through, so arguably he is right to step aside and let someone else take over.

Who will that be - Boris Johnson? The former mayor of London once said: "My chances of being PM are about as good as the chances of finding Elvis on Mars."

That was before things got all shook up this week.

Right now, no one really knows how this is going to impact upon little ol' New Zealand.

But it doesn't stop us watching from the sideline and wondering how one of the world's superpowers has ended up scrambling around like confused social club members after a leadership coup down the rugby or netball club.