The problem with the referendum was that Parliament reigns supreme.
The legislation should have been put in place, prior to the event, in order that the decision could be implemented without dispute. That this was not done suggests a deliberate cop out should the vote have gone for exit.
We now have a situation where a high turnout of voters had a clear majority vote to leave. The judges, and politicians are clearly defying the will of the people. Where this will lead long term is anybodies guess. Parliament is in danger of losing it's mandate to rule. Letting the masses eat cake did not work in France, and there is no guarantee that endless soaps and cheap lager will work in Britain.
Trying to split the vote as young against old is also a fallacious argument. The counter argument is that younger members of society had a highly debased education compared to earlier times. Education today consists of instilling lemming like behaviour so everyone is a willing little cypher and would never dream of questioning whatever the mainstream media throws at them. The ability to think and question is a distinct no-no in today's brave new world.
I would also add that in its early days the european economic union was just that. Then it changed to the EU and a dash to federalism. That is what sticks in many peoples craw. Many of the EU institutions are a power for good- others are definitely not.