LETTERS: 'The real point now is for everyone to stand up for Britain'

As an elected representative and on behalf of the Labour Party, I respect the result and must commit to its outcome.

I am proud of the way Labour fought the referendum campaign. United as a party, I believe we told the truth and regret the outcome.

I do not believe Britain’s independence or democracy were ever jeopardised.

I am concerned the economic consequences of leaving the EU will prove to be fact not fear.

In Westminster, Labour must and will give the greatest priority to defending jobs and services for working people from the shocks which will follow.

I worry about the divisive nature of the debate and for the continuing loss of tolerance, respect and openness in our democracy.

It is not how I choose to practice my own politics. It is why I wanted our country to continue to have an open and inclusive politics in relation to our neighbours in Europe.

I was elected on public trust to serve the interests of my constituents in the East of England and to represent our country.

I pledge to continue to uphold those responsibilities for as long as I remain as your Member of the European Parliament.

In Europe, Labour must play its own role in the negotiations to secure the best future relationships for our country.

It has been an immense privilege to serve you and I am deeply proud of the work I have always sought to undertake to the very best of my efforts in the region and in the European Parliament.

However, the immediate future sees my own work and responsibilities continue, and other personal considerations are for the future.

The EU Referendum was far more important than any one political party or politician.

However, I do not shed a tear at the resignation of David Cameron, who was the author of his own downfall from the time he made promises to his own Eurosceptic backbench MPs to secure election as the leader of his party.

It proved impossible to overcome the years of acceding to Euroscepticism in British domestic politics, in the few short weeks of a referendum campaign.

I fear our country will suffer deeply because of the internal divisions of the Conservative Party.

I prefer to emphasise the positive convictions in my own and our Labour Party’s politics. We remain firmly internationalist, anti-racist and committed to the pursuit of social justice.

We were not able to fully realise those values in campaigning for Britain to remain in the European Union.

But these are values in which we will always believe and for which I and we will always campaign.

I am proud to be British and European. I wish more of our fellow citizens had felt that too.

Richard Howitt, MEP for the East of England

I VOTED remain, but I listened to what people were saying and predicted that the UK would vote to leave.

Unlike some of our political leaders I had respect for people with a different view to me.

I had no respect for the racists who tagged on to the leave campaign, but the vast majority of leave voters had some honourable and honest points even if I thought they were wrong.

The real point now is for everyone to stand up for Britain.

Those like me who believed in the EU must now get behind our nation and make this new political reality work.

Let’s work together to tackle the real evil which is inequality and poverty.

We are a rich nation, diverse and talented.

We must now go boldly forward into the future for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Don Quinn King Stephen Road, Colchester