Post Brexit, British PM David Cameron steps down
Britain voted to leave the EU in a deadly blow to the 28-nation bloc, forcing Prime Minister David Cameron today to announce his resignation in the wake of defeat in the referendum whose result triggered a panic reaction in world markets and raised questions over immigration and other issues in the UK after the divorce.
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Brexit won finally by a wafer-thin majority of 51.9% in the referendum held yesterday that also raised questions over the longevity of the Conservative Prime Minister who aggressively campaigned for Remain.
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Shortly after the official announcement, Cameron stepped out of 10 Downing Street to make a brief statement in which he announced his intention to resign, saying a new Prime Minister will take charge in October to launch the process to leave EU.
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Watched by his wife Samantha, the 49-year-old British leader, who has just completed a little over a year in his second five-year term, assured the world, more specifically the European nations, that there will be no immediate changes in the way people will travel and services will be sold in Britain.
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"The country requires a fresh leadership to take this forward. While it is important that I stay on to steady the ship, it is not right to be the captain. I will do everything I can to do to help," Cameron said as his voice choked with emotion.
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Describing the referendum as a "giant democratic exercise", the Premier said the "will of the people must be respected" and their "instruction that must be delivered".
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"There can be no doubt about the result...I would like to reassure markets and countries around the world that Britain's economy remains fundamentally strong," he said.
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"In my view I think we should have a new prime minister in place by the start of the Conservative conference in October," Cameron said.
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The Cabinet will meet on Monday and a timetable for him stepping down will be drawn up.