MP RANIL Jayawardena has addressed his constituency following last Friday’s EU referendum result.

Following the June 23 vote on whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union, the North East Hampshire MP has offered his thoughts.

Mr Jayawardena announced back in February he would be voting to leave. In an open letter to his constituency he said: “The United Kingdom has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise, perhaps the biggest in our history.

“Over 33 million people have all had their say. We should be proud of the fact that, in these islands, we trust the people with these big decisions.

“The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected.”

While thanking Prime Minister David Cameron, who resigned shortly after the result was announced, Mr Jayawardena said he is grateful he delivered on his pledge to give the people a choice.

He continued: “While I voted to leave the European Union, I understand that many constituents - and those further afield - did not.

“The result was close, but in a referendum, the winning side needs to be only one vote ahead across the whole country.

“In the end, there was a majority of over a million for ‘Brexit’. As a mature democracy, I hope that everyone will respect the differences in our views and accept the result of the electorate.”

In the hours following the result, figures were also released for the local area both in the percentage of people who turned out and also the way the local area voted.

The United Kingdom voted 51.9 per cent in favour of leave compared to 48.1 per cent to remain, whereas, on a broad local scale, North East Hampshire voted in favour to leave by 50.3 per cent to 49.7 per cent.

Hart District Council also published figures in a rolling news feed across the evening, where it was revealed that 57,822 votes were cast, which was a staggering 82.7 per cent turnout.

The high percentage of voters saw Hart have the second highest turnout across the country and compares well to the national statistics, with 72 per cent turning out across the UK.

The results showed that 30,282 voted to remain, while 27,513 voted to leave.

Of the near 60,000 votes, just 32 were spoilt, with nine people unable to make up their minds, marking their ballot papers with two votes.

Mr Jayawardena was delighted with the turnout for his area. “I am proud that turnout was high across North East Hampshire - 83 per cent in the district of Hart and 78 per cent in the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

“This shows that people were engaged with the discussion, had sought out the information they needed to make a decision and wanted to have their say, whatever their view.”

Following the result, the country has been divided with social media throwing up numerous arguments as the public from both sides of the camp come to terms with the result.

However, the north east Hampshire MP called for calm. “Just under half of British people, will, nonetheless, be unhappy with the result and I am respectful of this fact.

“Now is not the time for gloating nor insults from either side. Now is the not the time for any party political posturing. Now is the time for calm, reflection and unity.”

He concluded his open letter by outlining his long-term commitment to the local residents, “Before the referendum, I set out my commitment to you - my commitment to dedicate my time and effort into making the settlement - whether inside or outside of the EU - work best for Britain.

“Parliament now has the important task of making sure that the United Kingdom gets the best possible deal in our future relationship with our European friends.

“I will continue working hard for you, for North East Hampshire and for our country.”

The mood was not so positive for the leader of Hampshire County Council Roy Perry with the result causing him great concern.

“I can only profess myself to be deeply disappointed and worried by the outcome of the EU referendum. I wonder how long before those who today are ringing bells rejoicing for so-called ‘Independence Day’ will be wringing their hands in despair as we are outside the Single Market and our economic growth is less” he said.

“I have found equally concerning just how quick the Leave Campaign has drawn back from its claims made to entice support to their cause. Since the Referendum prominent Leave campaigners have now denied committing £350m a week to the NHS and denied saying they would cut immigration.

“If ever an election was won under false promises this is surely one.

“The claim that we would regain control of our own country totally ignored the fact that the laws of economics recognise no national boundaries in much the same way as the laws of physics are universal.

“We live in a globalised world. The issues we all face such as climate change, international terrorism, power of international conglomerates are much better addressed in co-operation with our friends and allies rather than inglorious isolation.”