Britain has voted to leave the European Union. Now the British Government must get on with the business of implementing this clear instruction from the people.
A question was put and the question was answered.
Rich and poor, north and south, urban and rural: diverse communities across the country made the same choice - they chose to leave the EU.
In England and Wales, there was no political divide: both Labour and Conservative areas chose Leave. Over two thirds of Labour and Conservative MPs represent areas, as I do, that chose Leave. Parliament has a duty to remember this in the weeks and months ahead.
Even in Scotland, where the majority voted Remain, over one million people voted Leave; amongst British young people aged 18-24 years, there were 1.3 million Leave voters.
It should be no surprise that people across the country from different backgrounds, with different interests, shared a common view. This was a vote about Britain’s future and the sort of Britain we want for our children and grandchildren.
This was a referendum that brought together people from all walks of life, who had never before felt connected. Whilst we did not speak with one voice, this is not a country divided as some have depicted it – this is a country, with many voices, voices that have spoken and must be heard.
We need to trust in democracy, put aside the politics of fear and division and start to build Britain’s future. We need to focus on what unites us: a desire for freedom and self-determination, a desire for Britain to be a global outward looking nation.
It was always possible that Britain would vote Leave. That is the nature of a referendum. Although politicians may not have planned for our future outside the EU, the Civil Service has and is preparing the way for what lies ahead.
Change inevitably creates uncertainty and that will always be challenging. The anxiety and disappointment that many feel is understandable. But with change comes new opportunities and new possibilities.
Importantly, we saw a huge exercise in democracy. At the heart of the Referendum debate was the question of whether we, the British people cared about our democracy. Whatever our differences, above all we value our democracy.
The people have decided the direction for our country; the servants of the people must now deliver.