Cameron bids an emotional farewell as Brexit gamble backfires

HE had been asked time and again during the campaign trail leading up to the Referendum vote and each time had avoided the question – but today David Cameron had to confront the issue of his own future following what had been his nightmare scenario, a vote to leave the EU.

It was perhaps inevitable that with a vote to leave the Single Market then the man who had staked so much of his reputation on the outcome was forced to face the consequences of the voters’ decision and admit his time at No 10 had come to an end.

His voice quaking with emotion, he said that the British people had made their intention clear that the country needed to do down a different path and he had to abide by that.

“As such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction,” he said.

“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.”

He said there was no need for a precise timetable today, but the aim would be to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham in October.

He travelled to meet the Queen this morning to formally announce his decision but admitted he had already spoken to her. He said he would also attend the European Council next week to explain about the referendum result and his 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,” he said.

He said Britain’s trading heritage and its strong background in engineering, the arts and sciences would prove invaluable as the country now looked to the rest of the world.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

The Cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss how to proceed.

In the wake of the vote there have already been calls for a Cabinet re-shuffle, while the fate of Mr Cameron’s closest allies – including the Chancellor – must be in doubt.