The world looks surprised, even shocked that United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave European Union (EU) after enjoining it in 1973. My take is that no one should be surprised. Leave campaigners successfully hinged on history and fear.
History has always been on UK side, starting from 1066AD, when Norman the Nomad invaded Britain. This nation values her independence. The leave campaigners cleverly dubbed the referendum day as the Independence Day which rhymed with the British psyche and history.