I do not believe that there should be a second referendum. The referendum campaign was fought, turnout was high and the public has given its verdict. We must now deliver the result.
It would be disastrous for our democracy not to do what the British people have asked, more disastrous actually than any possible economic consequences of Brexit. My main reason for backing remain was because I was worried about the short term impact on the British economy. That turns out not to have been as profound as I feared – but I do recognise there is still a lot of uncertainty. The resilience of our economy has led me to find myself coming round to supporting Brexit as being something positive and exciting for our country and which I want us to make the most of.
I therefore now think that as a country we need to embrace the future with optimism and enthusiasm. Brexit will be a new path that economically that can also be a major catalyst for reform in all sorts of areas that are nothing to do with Europe – education, transport, vocational training – which will keep us highly competitive internationally.