--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The E.U. referendum didn't cause…" description: "\"The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it certainly did reveal them. Many people are shocked at the result, but they really shouldn't be. What..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c9/andrea-leadsom-3580_like_the-e-u-referendum-didn-t-cause-division_1680629.jpg" --- # The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it… ![“The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it certainly did reveal them. Many people are shocked at the result, but they really shouldn't be. What I would like to say to them is, please, don't be afraid.” quote by Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c9/andrea-leadsom-3580_like_the-e-u-referendum-didn-t-cause-division_1680629.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c9/andrea-leadsom-3580_like_the-e-u-referendum-didn-t-cause-division_1680629.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c9/andrea-leadsom-3580_like_the-e-u-referendum-didn-t-cause-division_1680629.jpg) > “The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it certainly did reveal them. Many people are shocked at the result, but they really shouldn't be. What I would like to say to them is, please, don't be afraid.” [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The EU referendum exposed existing divisions; people should not be shocked because the outcome was predictable. **In simple terms:** The vote revealed known splits; surprise is unwarranted. Key Takeaway Accept that political outcomes often reflect hidden tensions. Themes politics division predictability public sentiment Mood serious concerned analytical Type political reflective When to use this quote - campaign strategy - community dialogue - media analysis Key Concepts social cohesion media influence public opinion Questions to Reflect On - Why were divisions expected? - How can we address hidden tensions? A Different Perspective Ignoring underlying issues can worsen polarization. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Referendum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referendum/) ## Related quotes > [I don't want to feel like I felt on election night in 2016 ever again, which was completely shell-shocked by the result.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-tarlov/i-don-t-want-to-feel-like-i-felt-on-election-night-in-2016-ever-again/) [Jessica Tarlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-tarlov/) > [The reason I say 'never say never' is because I do not think that there should be another independence referendum in Scotland - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/the-reason-i-say-never-say-never-is-because-i-do-not-think-that-there/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [Did we get anything like the sort of reform that would make the EU work better? No. Not even close. And worse, even with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/did-we-get-anything-like-the-sort-of-reform-that-would-make-the-eu/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [We must have serious dialogue between Catalonia and the Spanish state on a referendum, on independence, and on how a separation from Spain -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carles-puigdemont/we-must-have-serious-dialogue-between-catalonia-and-the-spanish-state/) [Carles Puigdemont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carles-puigdemont/) > [I don't believe an Alliance government should sponsor legislation on abortion or a referendum on abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/i-don-t-believe-an-alliance-government-should-sponsor-legislation-on/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [After Brexit referendum, our country faces major challenges. Risks to the economy and living standards are growing. The public is split.The government is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-streeting/after-brexit-referendum-our-country-faces-major-challenges-risks-to/) [Wes Streeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-streeting/) > [The outcome of the referendum does not affect those of my officials who have British nationality, since they work for Europe and not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/the-outcome-of-the-referendum-does-not-affect-those-of-my-officials/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I actually don't believe in governance by referendum. I believe that we have a democracy, that we elect people to make decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-hodges/i-actually-don-t-believe-in-governance-by-referendum-i-believe-that/) [Betsy Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-hodges/) > [Boycotting the referendum is a possible option ... because we believe that participating in the voting might be a useless act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saleh-al-mutlaq/boycotting-the-referendum-is-a-possible-option-because-we-believe/) [Saleh al-Mutlaq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saleh-al-mutlaq/) > [The Government have consistently made it clear that the mechanism in the United Kingdom whereby the European draft constitutional treaty could be implemented is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-alexander/the-government-have-consistently-made-it-clear-that-the-mechanism-in/) [Douglas Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-alexander/) > [“If the surprise outcome of the recent UK referendum - on whether to leave or remain in the European Union - teaches us anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morritt/if-the-surprise-outcome-of-the-recent-uk-referendum-on-whether-to/) [Alex Morritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morritt/) > [The 1860 election became a referendum on the southern way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-catton/the-1860-election-became-a-referendum-on-the-southern-way-of-life/) [Bruce Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-catton/) > [As far as I am concerned this referendum should settle the matter. I believe it will one way or another be decisive. Britain will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/as-far-as-i-am-concerned-this-referendum-should-settle-the-matter-i/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [Actually, I never wanted an E.U. referendum, and I think those who called for it will one day wish they hadn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hitchens/actually-i-never-wanted-an-e-u-referendum-and-i-think-those-who/) [Peter Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hitchens/) > [The old politician maintain the chair for a lot of decades. So if we will lose the referendum, this is not a problem for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-renzi/the-old-politician-maintain-the-chair-for-a-lot-of-decades-so-if-we/) [Matteo Renzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-renzi/) ## More by Andrea Leadsom > [I am a passionate, pragmatic, and positive believer in Brexit, and with my three-step plan, we can decisively leave the E.U.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-am-a-passionate-pragmatic-and-positive-believer-in-brexit-and-with/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [The government believes that we will need to take the step of enshrining the Paris goal for net zero emissions in U.K. law. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/the-government-believes-that-we-will-need-to-take-the-step-of/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I am a big fan of seeing more women in public life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-am-a-big-fan-of-seeing-more-women-in-public-life/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [It would be helpful if broadcasters were willing to be a bit patriotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/it-would-be-helpful-if-broadcasters-were-willing-to-be-a-bit-patriotic/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I don't think the U.K. should leave the E.U. I think it would be a disaster for our economy, and it would lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-don-t-think-the-u-k-should-leave-the-e-u-i-think-it-would-be-a/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [For the second time in history the Conservatives will have a female prime minster, proving that we are not just the greatest but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/for-the-second-time-in-history-the-conservatives-will-have-a-female/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I believe that the love of same-sex couples is every bit as valuable as that of opposite-sex couple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-believe-that-the-love-of-same-sex-couples-is-every-bit-as-valuable/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I want to live in a Britain whose residents are determined to speak English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-want-to-live-in-a-britain-whose-residents-are-determined-to-speak/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I see myself as, one, an optimist, and two, a member of a huge family, and that's important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-see-myself-as-one-an-optimist-and-two-a-member-of-a-huge-family-and/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [Parliament's centuries of history have been overwhelmingly dominated by men, but things are changing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/parliament-s-centuries-of-history-have-been-overwhelmingly-dominated/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [ The Nick Boles text is kiboshed \[Mike\] Gove's chances. It undermined people's confidence in him. It made it look as if he's been conspiring… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/the-nick-boles-text-is-kiboshed-mike-gove-s-chances-it-undermined/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [What gets you out of bed in the morning? This is a question I'm often asked as a politician. It tends to be closely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/what-gets-you-out-of-bed-in-the-morning-this-is-a-question-i-m-often/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [My real passion is social justice, resolving the lack of empowerment, the lack of skills, the fact that young people can't get on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/my-real-passion-is-social-justice-resolving-the-lack-of-empowerment/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I believed in a number of the E.U.'s core values - the promotion of peace, global trading opportunities, and the values of freedom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-believed-in-a-number-of-the-e-u-s-core-values-the-promotion-of/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [I'm passionate about parliament democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-m-passionate-about-parliament-democracy/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) [Explore all 127 Andrea Leadsom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) ## More Europe quotes > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [Few political debates have been as divisive as the European one. I fought as hard as I could on the Remain side, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/few-political-debates-have-been-as-divisive-as-the-european-one-i/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [Liberalism is the philosophy for our time, because it does not try to conserve every tradition of the past, because it does not apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/liberalism-is-the-philosophy-for-our-time-because-it-does-not-try-to/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Conservatism aims to maintain in working order the loyalties of the community to perceived truths and also to those truths which in their judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr-2/conservatism-aims-to-maintain-in-working-order-the-loyalties-of-the/) [William F. 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We feel anti-Semitic hatred in the continent that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/we-witness-anti-semitic-attacks-in-the-heart-of-europe-we-hear-anti/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [Conservatives are people who look at a tree and feel instinctively that it is more beautiful than anything they can name. 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