Five authors respond (very differently) to today's EU Referendum results

This is a statement sheet made available for the press from a selection of authors represented bywww.literallypr.com, following the news that Great Britain is to leave the European Union. For more information, comments or interviews, please contacthelenlewis@literallypr.com. Images and more press information can be found in the press folders (links provided below for each commentator).

From Derrick Evans (Mr Motivator), author of The Warm Up (autobiography):

"Today sovereignty, history, British culture, everything that we hold dear, has been protected by the vote of the people. The future is certain and unclear but I know we are better for this decision."

http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/Derrick-Evans---Mr-Motivator---The-Warm-Up.php

http://www.mrmotivator.com/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/1YemTuW

From Elyssa Campbell-Barr, working mother and author of Choosing Childcare - the most comprehensive and impartial guide to daycare in the UK (2016 edition now available):

"Working parents and would-be parents have a lot to thank the EU for. Agency and part-time workers (around three-quarters of whom are women - often working mothers) have benefited hugely from EU equal treatment directives that have given them the same rights as full-time employees in areas such as maternity leave, paid annual leave and pensions. Expectant and breastfeeding mothers have vital health and safety protections at work, as well as the right to take time off for antenatal appointments, thanks to the Pregnant Workers' Directive. Mums and dads also have a right to take unpaid leave for childcare or urgent family reasons, and are protected from discrimination, thanks to the Parental Leave Directive.

"Turning our back on EU protections may put the UK's working parents and prospective parents in a vulnerable position. And as many of our national laws on parental leave, equality and employment are intertwined with EU regulations, untangling the legislation looks likely to be a long and complicated process. The TUC has warned that significant proportions of the UK's Equality Act could be repealed with EU rights in this area no longer in place.

"The EU leads the world in workers' rights, and the protections we currently enjoy as working parents can't, unfortunately, be taken for granted. 'The European Parliament, in their foolishness, have voted for increased maternity pay,' tweeted Nigel Farage in 2010. It remains to be seen how many other leading figures in the Brexit movement hold similar views."

http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/Choosing-Childcare---Elyssa-Campbell-Barr.php

http://www.choosing-childcare.co.uk/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/1XQ0DL8

From Jamie Cawley, author of 'The Birth of Now' (July 2016), born in Windsor and now living in China, a long-term look at economic issues:

"Remember when Britain left the 'ERM', on 'Black Wednesday', 16 September 1992? The huge fuss about that 'catastrophe' now seems a bit overdone. Economic forecasting for a few years ahead is, judging by success rates, near impossible. But, as 'The Birth of Now' shows, longer-term trends are much more consistent. For example, the growth of the German economy in the 20th Century was disrupted several times in the short-term: by the death of two million of its young men in war 1914-18, the destruction of its economic system by hyper-inflation in 1921-24 and the near-total annihilation of its infrastructure, manufacturing and much of its housing 1943-45. But the longer-term picture of steady growth 1850-2000 shook off these temporary set-backs and recovered as though they had never happened. With Brexit, the currency position is unchanged: Britain has its own. The passport position is unchanged, you have always needed one to enter and leave. Huge tariff barriers will not suddenly appear. There will be change, but it will be detail change."

http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/Jamie-Cawley_Beliefs_TheBirthofNow.php

http://www.jamiecawleywriter.co.uk/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/1m9MQiU

From John Uttley, Lancashire-born, London-dwelling author of contemporary fiction novel Where's Sailor Jack?

"I voted Remain but so did London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle, with Birmingham and Leeds 50:50. I'm not at all urban and the result doesn't surprise me. More folk live in towns and suburbs than cities and they feel that none of the wealth created by the EU has come to them. In the media, when vox pop is wanted, that's where to go.'

"We need a Labour Party which puts improving living standards above ideology. I canvassed for Harold Wilson in the sixties, who'd started on the left and moved to a more pragmatic base. That's the model I'd try to follow. If Jeremy Corbyn would do that it would be great, but his vocabulary is still of the universals of international socialism. Plays well on campuses but that won't win. If he can't go that way, maybe Andy Burnham can.

We don't want the Tories going crazy too. I'd like to see them give Teresa May the baton, but I bet they'll go Boris. I hope he's got it in him."

http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/John-Uttley.php

http://www.wheressailorjack.com/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/28Rzdlh

From Gill Hamer, member of the Triskele Books collective and author of The Gold Detective Series:

"The EU referendum was an unnecessary political tool in my view and has sadly divided this country for many months. I'm sure no one has found the experience pleasant or enlightening. Hopefully, now the decision has been made we can accept it and find unity and strength. With the internet making the world a much smaller place in this age, I am sure publishing can rise above politics and continue to thrive globally. Long live our books!"

http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/Gillian-Hamer.php

http://www.gillianhamer.com/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/28RGFu8

Notes to editors

All authors are available for comment and interview. Copies of their books can be sent to you today. We are expecting further comment from our clients to come through and opinion pieces can be arranged.

Helen Lewis, director of LitPR:helenlewis@literallypr.com/ +44 (0) 7904801669