WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has today urged local people to get involved in politics following the country’s decision to leave the European Union.
The MP has received hundreds of emails from constituents who have signed a petition asking the Government to re-run the referendum. The Government has confirmed that it accepts the result of referendum vote and the Conservative Party will elect a new leader before it starts the process of negotiating a new relationship with the EU.
Harriett commented: “I am disappointed at the outcome of the referendum. It is not the result which I thought best for the United Kingdom and I campaigned hard for months in both my capacity as local MP and as Economic Secretary to the Treasury to secure a ‘Remain’ vote.
“However, there is no doubt in my mind that the referendum result to leave the European Union is a clear instruction from the British people. The turnout was higher than in a General Election and the majority decisive.
“It is now up to us in Government to implement the will of the British people and, for my part, I will use my position and any influence I have to try to implement that decision in the way that minimises the shock to our economy and our place in the world.
“I got involved in politics quite late in life because I was worried about the direction the then Labour Government was taking the country. I became a candidate and stood for political office.
“I worry that armchair, digital campaigning does not change very much. Crosses on ballot papers do. I hope that some people will take this referendum as such an important event that they ask themselves what more they can do to get actively involved in our country’s democratic processes.
“Over 17.4 million people voted to ‘take back control’ and give it to our UK Parliament. The message could not be clearer that if you want to shape your society, you must vote, act and get involved.”