I welcome the people of Crawley and the United Kingdom choosing to Leave the European Union.

People have felt the EU has become more and more remote from our everyday concerns, but continually meddles in our everyday lives.

Our country of course will continue to work with, and trade with, the European Union. This is not about pulling up the drawbridge, but looking out to the rest of the world. We will be a good neighbour to Europe, and we remain an outward-looking country.

The campaign is over, and members of the Government – regardless of which side they supported – will now work to secure the best deal for the United Kingdom.

I am grateful to everyone in Crawley who voted – whether for Leave or for Remain – I am honoured to be our town’s MP, and while I campaigned for a Leave vote I will continue to serve our whole community.

One of Crawley’s greatest strength is its diversity, and there are nationals from across the EU who have made their home here. As one of my parliamentary colleagues who supported the Remain campaign said, my message to them is that while the UK has voted to leave, I hope that you choose to stay.

I want to pay tribute to the Prime Minister for his six years in Downing Street, and for his eleven years as the Leader of the Conservative Party.

Under this Government led by David Cameron, there are more people in work, and reforms have been made to welfare and education. One of the Prime Minister’s flagship schemes, National Citizen Service, has helped improve the life chances of people across the country – including right here in Crawley, and I am proud to support the project locally.

We have a parliamentary democracy, where the leader of the largest party is our Prime Minister. The last time this took place part-way through a parliament, Gordon Brown was appointed in a coronation – this time I anticipate that there will be an election for the post, and I look forward to seeing who the candidates will be in due course.

Today, I will be working on a number of issues as I have done throughout this campaign, including regarding the ongoing disruption affecting Crawley rail passengers. The House of Commons will return on Monday – there is work to be done.

Henry Smith MP

Notes to Editors:

UK result:
Remain: 16,141,241 (48.1%)
Leave: 17,410,742 (51.9%)
Turnout: 72.2%

Crawley result:
Remain: 22,388 votes (41.6%)
Leave: 31,447 votes (58.4%)
Turnout: 73.2%