We need to act quickly with Boris in control, says former Chancellor Lord Lamont
Someone needs to get a grip of this situation and start charting our strategy
JUNE 23 is a day which will go down in history.
The British people made a really big decision in the referendum when they rejected a policy towards Europe that British Governments have followed for over 40 years.
The truth is we have never had a very comfortable relationship with the EU and some Europeans will be pleased we are gone.
Britain has never shared the enthusiasm for creating a “new country called Europe”.
After all the prophecies of doom it is no surpise the markets have been turbulent.
Throughout history markets have perceived events as calamitous but at the same time companies have continued to trade and make profits and employ people.
Markets recover and we will go on trading with both Europe and the rest of the world.
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
But now Britain has the opportunity and challenge of growing its economy free of Brussels red tape and interference.
We won’t turn our backs on Europe but we need also to develop trade links with other fast growing markets like those of Asia.
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I am sad that David Cameron announced he would resign in the autumn. I had hoped he would stay on and provide continuity and stability during the exit negotiations.
But honourable to the end he felt he could not do that after all he had said during the campaign.
Years ago, as a young man,he worked for me as an aide and he was as excellent then as he has proved himself to be an outstanding Prime Minister.
David Cameron also announced that he would leave to his successor the job of deciding when to trigger Article 50 of the European Treaty and so start the exit negotiations.
That seems to me a bit slow. Someone needs to get a grip of this situation quickly and start charting our strategy.
We don’t need any austerity budget of the kind threatened in the campaign.
That would be the wrong reaction.
Longer term what Britain should aim for ideally is a free trade deal with the EU which the head of the German CBI said two days ago it would be mad not to offer to Britain as it was in everyone’s interest.
We also must insist on exemption from unlimited immigration, the key issue particularly in the Labour heartlands.
For the Conservative Party in the immediate future there is the task of choosing a new leader.
It is likely to be someone from the Eurosceptic side of the party.
Boris who had a sparkling campaign must be the front runner.
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