On Friday 24th June, the country awoke to the news that 52% of the electorate had voted to leave the European Union. I would like to thank all those who voted in Torridge and West Devon where, on a very high turnout of approximately 80%, the margin in favour of leaving was a decisive 57% to 43%.
The country’s decision to vote to leave the European Union presents us with a great opportunity to take back control. It also presents our Government with a great challenge to propose and define a new and better relationship with the EU, to reinvigorate our democratic institutions and to put power back into the hands of the British people.
Over the next weeks and months, I will work closely with my colleagues of all parties to ensure that Britain secures the best deal it can.
The British people have given us a clear mandate that we must now execute, however I am keen to reiterate the comments of my colleagues that this process must not be undertaken in haste. Plans will now be made for the UK to untangle itself from this supranational system, but nothing concrete will change in the short term. As the Governor has told us, the Bank of England and the Treasury have well thought-through plans for this eventuality and our economy is strong.
We will need to decide the future shape of our relationship with the EU in consultation with the devolved governments and our own people. Only then, need we serve notice of our departure under Article 50 of the Treaty.
Alongside the referendum result, we also have to adjust to a change in national leadership. I have supported David Cameron since his election as party leader and he will be missed. We now need to find a successor who is ready and willing to fulfil the wishes of the British people and to look forward to the future, a future in which we will be free to develop a close relationship with our European neighbours based not on unrealisable political aspirations and centralised bureaucracies but on trade and co-operation.
Geoffrey Cox, MP