MPs across Southampton and Hampshire have called for the county to unite as the UK comes to term with the referendum results

What impact the historic vote will have on the UK is still very much up for debate, but across the political spectrum MPs are agreed that the priority of for it is now important is for the people of Great Britain to pull together and keep calm.

Today the county’s officials have spoken of their surprise, delight, disappointment and anger at the result which led to prime minister David Cameron’s resignation yesterday.

Those who led the Brexit campaign in the county were revelling in Hampshire’s 55 per cent average Leave vote while the Remain supporters fear the worst is yet to come.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith, said the referendum result was a “strong message” that people across the UK are concerned about immigration.

He said: “The result is broadly as I expected. I think it’s a strong message that the government has to look again at the immigration policies, that was the major topic everyone was concerned about when I spoke to them.

“I definitely saw more young people wanted to remain and older people wanted to leave. It’s a mixed picture now as to what will happen next but I’m very disappointed the prime minister has resigned. He has done something that a lot of us probably wouldn’t have the character to do in that he has decided that it is now time for someone else to take over from him, it’s just a huge disappointment to me personally. I have no idea what will happen next or who will be taking over.”

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North told the Daily Echo it was a “moment in history” and Hampshire people must unite after the result.
She said: “This appears to have been the largest democratic exercise in the history of the UK and the will of the people must be respected. 

“I know many will be concerned about the future, however I believe we must now unite, both as the Conservative Party and as a proud country to make the future work for all of us. Nobody, throughout this campaign, has had a crystal ball, so we do not know for sure what will happen. But it is imperative we have stability and unity, and I am determined to work towards that aim.

“David Cameron is a good man, he has been an excellent prime minister who agreed to hold a referendum in the knowledge that this result was always a possibility. I am saddened he will not be staying on as prime minister for longer, however, true to form, he has made an honourable decision.”

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said he was “slightly taken aback by some of the events following the referendum”.

The future of his party leader was also in the balance as throughout yesterday prominent figures were calling for Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation.
Mr Whitehead said: “The result is very disappointing. 

“From the perspective of where I stood in the campaign and what I did, I think that it’s probably becoming clear that people voted the way they did for a variety of reasons, not necessarily because of whether they wanted to be in or out of the EU. 

“What that relationship is going to look like, what that relationship is going to be, that’s going to be a lot of hard work. I can completely understand why the prime minister has resigned when he has. He lost the vote. It’s clear he has no stomach for carrying forward with those decisions.

“We do need stability to get these actions undertaken.”

Fareham MP Suella Fernandes said she was “delighted” by the result as her constituents voted for a majority leave.

She said: “The people of Fareham have clearly voted leave, and the record high turnout means this vote has legitimacy and represents opinion. People are not happy with the EU and have shown they want to take back control over their money, democracy and immigration.

“I’m pleased to have campaigned with a large team of volunteers here who tirelessly knocked on doors, held street stalls, and delivered leaflets. It was a brilliant team effort, and my thanks go to them all.

“I am proud that David Cameron stuck to his word and delivered us this historic referendum, giving us a chance to debate and decide on this important issue. We now need to unite and get on with the job of serving the British people and delivering on the mandate they have given us but I’m very sad about his resignation, he has been an outstanding leader of our country.”

Winchester was one of only three districts in Hampshire to vote for remain and had a massive turnout of 81.3 per cent.

The city’s MP Steve Brine, pictured above, said: “Winchester may have voted, by some margin, to remain but the country overall did not and the people of this country have clearly chosen a different course.

“It’s never a good idea in my opinion for governments to act out of panic. What we need now is a period of calm and reflection that leads to an orderly exit as we implement the will of the British people.

“That, and doing whatever we as a Parliament can do to cushion the most vulnerable from the financial turbulence that will surely now follow, should be the focus of every single MP.

“The country has, in my opinion, lost twice today. David Cameron has dominated British politics for more than a decade and I am simply gutted he will go.”

Meon Valley Conservative MP George Hollingbery, refused to comment on the PM’s decision to resign but said: “It’s very early days. The country has asked for a referendum and we now need to accept the result and work together to deliver what the voters have asked for.”

Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, said: “The result is clear, the people have spoken. We now need to unite and move forward. There is no doubt the impact will be enormous – there will be big opportunities and also big risks. My priority will always be to see both the Gosport constituency and the UK continue to thrive and prosper.

“I will be extremely sad to see the prime minister go but I completely understand his decision.”

New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne added: “I’m very pleased with the result, I campaigned for it. I thought it was a reasonable possibility. The polls were neck and neck, there’s a margin for error. I think we will have a few days of chaos in the market, that was always the case, and then calm will prevail.

“The prime minister’s resignation is a great shame. I would have preferred him to stay on and bring an element of stability.

“I don’t think that this was a matter for the New Forest. This was a matter for the nation. I’m confident this was the right decision for our economy.”

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies, pictured far left was delighted with the result, which she said would “allow the UK to have full control of its destiny”.

She added: “But I am genuinely very sad the prime minister felt he had to resign and I was one of the MPs who signed the letter last night asking him to remain in charge.

“He has been an excellent leader of our party and a superb PM who delivered an election victory only a year ago, so it does seem a real shame.

“The Conservatives must now elect another leader and I’m sure candidates will soon be putting their hats in the ring. When that happens, I will be looking at who is the best person to take the country forward, and crucially, who is best person to negotiate effectively with the EU.

“These are very exciting and, of course, worrying times and I fully understand some people will be concerned about the future, but this country has immense talent, resources and belief, and it will prosper outside the EU.”

A spokesperson for New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis said having campaigned for this outcome, Dr Lewis was delighted with the result, but refused to comment on the resignation of the prime minister.