The Rt Hon Andrew Tyrie MP.
First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank the whole association for the tremendous support shown both to me and the party through what has been a difficult time in politics. For the Government and the party it has certainly been an extraordinary few weeks.
Secondly, we have a new, talented and committed leader of the party and Prime Minister, and at a time of considerable uncertainty. I am delighted that the parliamentary party moved swiftly to put in place new leadership and that Theresa has also moved quickly to form her own distinctive ministerial team. There will be tough times ahead and a lot of work to do: to stabilise the economy, to restructure the UK’s foreign and economic relations, to heal divisions in parts of the country and to entrench the Union. We have the right person for the job and, from emails, I sense that most people reading this message may feel the same way.
David Cameron understandably decided to resign. David took the country from near bankruptcy to a much more robust economic position. He accomplished this - with George Osborne - while struggling to hold both a coalition and, at times, his party together. We owe David, and George, a debt of gratitude for that achievement.
Thirdly, the country has spoken on the issue of Europe, not in a General Election and for a 5 year term, but probably for a generation. It is our job as Conservatives, not just to respect the decision, but to translate it into the policies that can best secure the national interest, and the wellbeing of the British people. This may sound like mere phrases but it refers to the detailed policies, reflecting the needs and aspirations of thousands of businesses and millions of people, that now need to be taken.
I will do whatever I can to make that work a success. The referendum poses big challenges for the UK economy, and its foreign policy. It may also create opportunities. Seizing them will require rigorous negotiations for our withdrawal from the EU to ensure the greatest possible access to the single market. It will also require efforts to boost trade with the rest of the world. The UK needs to remain an outward looking, free trading nation. Above all, the UK must continue fully to participate in the network of alliances and
arrangements which - since the Second World War - have put western democratic liberal values in the ascendant.
There is virtually nothing that the Conservatives can’t achieve if we stick together. I hope that, now that the campaign is over, the party nationally will be able to develop the same spirit of unity that we have shown in the Chichester association. We sustained that mood even though strong views were held on both sides of the referendum debate. It is one of the reasons that this association is not just one of the biggest in the country but one of the strongest and most effective. I look forward to discussing the decisions that lie ahead in coming months with constituents and association members.