EU referendum outcome
The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise – perhaps the biggest in our history. Over 33 million people – from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar – have all had their say.
We should be proud of the fact that in these islands we trust the people with these big decisions.
We not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements for how we are governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done.
The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected.
I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side of the argument, including all those who put aside party differences to speak in what they believed was the national interest.
And let me congratulate all those who took part in the Leave campaign – for the spirited and passionate case that they made.
The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision.
So there can be no doubt about the result.
Across the world people have been watching the choice that Britain has made. I would reassure those markets and investors that Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong.
And I would also reassure Brits living in European countries, and European citizens living here, that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances. There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold.
We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union. This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced.
But above all this will require strong, determined and committed leadership.
I am very proud and very honoured to have been Prime Minister of this country for 6 years.
I believe we have made great steps, with more people in work than ever before in our history, with reforms to welfare and education, increasing people’s life chances, building a bigger and stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world, and enabling those who love each other to get married whatever their sexuality.
But above all restoring Britain’s economic strength, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped to make that happen.
I have also always believed that we have to confront big decisions – not duck them.
That’s why we delivered the first coalition government in 70 years to bring our economy back from the brink. It’s why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in Scotland. And why I made the pledge to renegotiate Britain’s position in the European Union and hold a referendum on our membership, and have carried those things out.
I fought this campaign in the only way I know how – which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel – head, heart and soul.
I held nothing back.
I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union, and I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone – not the future of any single politician, including myself.
But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path, and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.
I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.
This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.
There is no need for a precise timetable today, but in my view we should aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative party conference in October.
Delivering stability will be important and I will continue in post as Prime Minister with my Cabinet for the next 3 months. The Cabinet will meet on Monday.
The Governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps that the Bank and the Treasury are taking to reassure financial markets. We will also continue taking forward the important legislation that we set before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech. And I have spoken to Her Majesty the Queen this morning to advise her of the steps that I am taking.
A negotiation with the European Union will need to begin under a new Prime Minister, and I think it is right that this new Prime Minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU.
I will attend the European Council next week to explain the decision the British people have taken and my own decision.
The British people have made a choice. That not only needs to be respected – but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work.
Britain is a special country.
We have so many great advantages.
A parliamentary democracy where we resolve great issues about our future through peaceful debate.
A great trading nation, with our science and arts, our engineering and our creativity respected the world over.
And while we are not perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multi-racial, multi-faith democracy, where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows.
Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I am the first to praise our incredible strengths. I have said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union, and indeed that we could find a way.
Now the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way, and I will do everything I can to help.
I love this country – and I feel honoured to have served it.
And I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed.
Rebuilding better: collaboratively. I empower people, families, and subject experts to support people, family and communities' health and emotional wellbeing. Let's share opportunities and rebuild better!
6 年David Cameron I've re-read and seek your current opinion on what you wrote here, in the context of unexpected black swans since this vote. Will the citizens of Belfast and the Ireland/UK border areas continue to have the protections of the Good Friday Agreement? I feel it's a 'Black Friday calls' situation...your call?
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7 年To Whom It May Concern I have been scream ing for shelter and protection from the ongoing threats I am experiencing. I have asked for help from the immigration department in Istanbul but the officials there tell me to go away and commit suicide and even burn myself if I am having a critical life. I am asking UNHCR officials, The United Nations, and international community to help me and save me from the threat and bad health condition I am experiencing right now. I am having the worst condition to a degree that I can’t even eat and get any rest. The worst thing is no one even saves me and cares about what is going on including the immigration department in Turkey. Thus, I am kindly asking and seeking your help because I am dire in need of protection. Regards .
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8 年I'm fuming to a point that It still keeps me awake at night. What type of man turns his back on his country after standing to lead it? Are you a little boy. Are you sick? To do this at such a critical time, when public unrest and potential terror attacks are so high. You chose to ignore the peoples wishes David. You done so for 6 years. Shall I blame you for that. Only a little you had a band of merry men\women I say this man to man, you have no idea of the troubles the people of lower class bracketing in this country have. The Social Sector is the most disgraceful service provide in the U.K. People are dying with no food and homes. The benefit split is the most efficiency depleting senseless process I have ever seen in my life. Look at my job role Yet I watched you a year back looking to put street homeless into little firms. Did you completely loose the plot on KPI in the Social Sector, rather then selling everything we can to private and commercial. The fundemental differences between cultures based on class, is one of drivers and finance You came up miserably short on both. Trying to scare the poorest about becoming poorer, to stay in Europe, was like trying to tell them to invest in the futures markets. We the poor, are poor already. It's like trying to tell the rich to pay more taxes. It doesn't change anything. Their was a story once called quality of life. Britain has always held good standing and a leader in the deliverance of the message of the great tale. It tells of the troubles of life, and the equilibriums that help balance them. The leverage from the positives, enough to counterbalance the negatives we encounter. The balance always just right. Measured to perfection. Until the EU. What type of man did you become. To walk from the path that you lead a country down, a journey of miles and miles of time until a junction is met. When the country took that turn, you left us to rot in a coach you had bellowed would breakdown We will never fully break down. We are unique. All of us. Every person from this country. When the shepherd leads the flock. If they come to water they need to cross. They often let the nomadic shepherd cross alone, to wander on his cheerful way Like the people of the UK. Proven with Scotland, and proven again with yourself, if one of the normal folks says stay we all stay, it called "I'm Spartacus" time. We are English/Scottish /Irish and Welsh, we all unite when called. As together we are the strongest brightest minds this world has. The kind of minds that offer transparency to a nation. Not pre agreed deals with other countries. That no one has a say in The kind of minds that will continue to uphold the will of the people they serve, not a PM with power on his mind and control of Europe My days will be spent trying to help the people in the social sector. I will work for free. You should join me David. You did well enough to get us through a recession with George. Their is a way to end street homeless. Unbelievable as it sounds. It could indeed save money. It would involve housing the homeless, mental/physical health, rehab/stabilisation, OT health assessments, social worker - full time employment. Pilot London - Role out global cities. I hold 30,000 contacts and just spent a year as someone classified street homeless. Not undercover, just terminally ill and disabled. It's wasn't that bad. It was one month after I was given three hours to live, sarcasm, it's awful. If I can prove feasibility and a clear pathway, will you lead it David. That is a serious serious question. The top layer to agreement is no more then a handful of meetings. Role out will be as fast as the people move. David on my profile is one post that simply says pray, and a request for a prayer to be said for me. The likes and comments and views in a few days are into many thousands. I was asking for a prayer for strength. I had outlined that the illnesses I have are a direct cause of alcohol abuse, that I hold complete responsibility and accountability for the collapse of a pretty decent life and lose of a marriage I am extreamly lucky to be alive. Followed by absolutely zero want or need of alcohol. The prayers keep coming , with some of the warmest heart felt wishes I could ever read. All countries and all religions. Not one bad word only prayers. That day, I had to try and format a confused mind. To deal with one foreign Muslim Company and a UK Government and public sector full of shadows. The mention of Muslim is required in the context of what I am saying. I will not go into detail, as I await FOI act collation of data, from a number of public officials. People are quick to cast down type casts based on colour or gods. They are quick to say the Muslims and Christians must rage war for the religious rights and outcomes of death. To ban is to repress. To ask is progress. People are slow to say that we pray together as one, for a better future as human beings. Pray together for each other, regardless of the shell we wear or the languages we speak This country will need is an explanation. The company in question make over 6m a year from a commercial split complex in Croydon from the local authorities. I believe 12 different authorities us the facility from London, Essex, Kent, Hertford. 900 individuals with movement of 20-40 a week. Emergency accommodation. You have broken your own frame works, the company are going to end the agreement, you will be out, the 900 go where? The other complexs go where? You have allowed a business to purchase a vast area of land owned by the U.K. Who hold direct conflict of interest. It is in one of the biggest regeneration areas in the U.K. The company purchase our land with the money you pay them. How has it even passed planning full site operation no H&S little kids playing after a slice of 17p toast for breakfast 900 people and not one on-site office for housing and social care staff. What was you doing for 6 years. You should face charges of UK neglect over European bias. You couldn't see David, as education can sometimes blind common sense. If you really ever wanted to win the people. Talk to them. For all of my life Inhave lived with every culture. I long for that to remain You reap what you sow David. You must have planted something decent. I do actually need your help. I still have not heard that you were sacked at any point. Go back to work. No way can what's their now change anything for the better. Talk to the people. Get moving on social not big business You can't quit as a PM. It's stupid. Your not doing student bar work. What did the Queen say? Potentially she could have given you the loser sign on the way out No one quits on their country. It's not heard of Regards, Peter Walsh [email protected]
The Bridport Literary Festival
8 年You did your best. Your very best. Thank you.