EU REFERENDUM: Honiton MP Neil Parish vows to make relationship work

Neil Parish-Conservative. Ref mhh 3011-15-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn (Image: Archant)

The MP for Tiverton and Honiton has said Britain’s decision to leave the European Union must be ‘respected’.

In the light of this morning’s vote to leave and David Cameron’s announcement that he will step down, Neil Parish MP has issued a statement.

He said: “Today the British people have had their say and have voted to leave the EU. That decision must now be respected.

“I personally made the case for Britain to remain in the EU as the best option for British agriculture.

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street, London, where he announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union in an historic referendum which has thrown Westminster politics into disarray and sent the pound tumbling on the world markets. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday June 24, 2016. See PA story POLITICS EU. Photo credit should read: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire

“But I always made clear that, whatever the result, I would fight tooth and nail to get the best deal for our farmers.

“I will honour this commitment. As we negotiate Britain’s new relationship with the EU and new farming policies, I will work hard to ensure the best possible settlement for our agricultural industry.

“Under my chairmanship, the EFRA Committee will hold the Government to account on its policies to secure the best deal for British agriculture and the environment in the Brexit negotiations.

“On a personal note, I am sad to see the Prime Minister resign. He has done fantastic work leading our country through economic recovery over the last six years.

“I hope his successor will continue his good work in providing the leadership and the policies this country needs.

“Britain is a great country and, as I reiterated during the campaign, we have a bright future ahead of us – whatever the result.

“It’s now time for politicians to respect the will of the British people, roll up our sleeves and make this new relationship work for Britain.”

In a historic result announced this morning, 52 per cent of voters opted to cut ties with the EU.

With all 382 counts now declared, 17,410,742 voted to leave, opposed to 16,141,241 who voted to remain.

Locally, the result broadly reflected the national picture. In East Devon, 48.040 voted ‘out’ (54.1 per cent), compared to 40,743 who voted ‘in’ (45.9 per cent).

The turnout in East Devon was 78.9 per cent.

In Devon, all but two local authority areas voted to leave – only Exeter and the South Hams voted to remain. The vote was 55 per cent in favour of remain.

National voter turnout was 72.1 per cent, some way short of the UK’s turnout record of 84.6 per cent set at the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014.

By contrast, turnout at last year’s General Election was 66.1 per cent, while at the last referendum on Europe in 1975, 64.6 per cent of eligible voters went to the polls.