Britain emerges from the EU referendum a divided nation, according to Kent University academic Prof Richard Scase.

The Kentish Gazette columnist says the socio-economic divisions are no longer about income, but about education and age.

And he argues the pro-Brexit vote marks a rejection of this country's political establishment.

He said today: "This has result highlights the gulf between the political elites and the people.

"What we’re finding is that the party elites are made up of people from privileged backgrounds who went to good universities, got jobs as researchers and then were given safe seats. "In other words they are completely removed from the anxieties and concerns of ordinary working families. In effect, the result demonstrates the alienation of the working people from the elite."

Prof Scase, who lives in Canterbury, is emeritus professor of sociology and organisational behaviour at Kent University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research.

He went on: "The result has shown the socio-economic divide in Britain.

"On the one hand, you have the older non-graduate voter who chose to leave the EU and on the other the younger educated voter coming out for remain.

"It’s evidence of a change in Britain, it’s evidence that income is no longer an indicator of attitude."

As Britain works out its relationship to the EU, Prof Scase expects a surge in immigration.

"If I was an unemployed person in somewhere Romania or Bulgaria I would get over here pretty quickly while the two-year period of negotiation takes place as the UK leaves the EU," he said.

"But if the leave campaign was geared to restricting migration, then it will be entirely counterproductive in the short term.

"If we had voted to remain, then there would also have been a renegotiation for a much looser economic trading block without the political integration."

He believes there are parallels with the general election over inaccurate polling data.

"At the last general election the polls showed that there would not be a Conservative majority," said Prof Scase who addresses major international conferences and has advised David Cameron and George Osborne.

"This has confirmed is the issue of the shy voter. People who might not signal their intent to vote leave but ultimately ended up doing so.

"It’s why the polls were wrong going into the election and why they were wrong for the referendum."

Canterbury Christ Church University is considering how the referendum will affect its work.

Reacting to the result, vice-chancellor Professor Rama Thirunamachandran said: "Some of its implications will not become clear for many months.

"However, we do know that the result of the referendum will not lead to changes overnight.

"At this time we particularly wish to reassure our current staff and students from other EU countries that their status remains unaltered until any changes are agreed by the UK Government as part of the exit negotiations.

"We also wish to say that we continue to welcome applications from students in other EU countries, whose entitlement to come to study in the UK, and to access student finance remains unchanged."