STAUNCH Eurosceptic John Redwood MP has insisted he is not disappointed his Wokingham constituency voted to remain in the EU and claims the UK now has a 'brighter future' ahead of it.
Despite a narrow defeat to the Leave side this morning, securing the UK's exit from the European Union, Wokingham borough saw 55,272 ballots cast in favour of remaining a member state, compared with 42,229 votes pushing for the UK to cut ties with Brussels.
Mr Redwood, an avid Leave campaigner, said: "I am delighted, the British public understood exactly what it is they want. Restoring our power, they want to be able to spend their own money, they want taxes to be the the ones we agreed, they want a fair option with immigration control which the EU can't offer.
"I think the UK has a brighter future ahead of it, we were being dragged down, we were being governed, we needed to set our own priorities. The problem is the EU is very old-fashioned, it is a 1950s idea to solve the problem of the Cold War which is long gone. In the 21st century, we want something more global and modern and less clunky."
Referring to David Cameron's announcement that he will be stepping down as Prime Minister in October, Mr Redwood said: "I think it was a very sensible idea of him as he clearly couldn't commit himself fully to a Brexit and he had found himself out of touch with over half of the voters."
He said he had a few suitable future Conservative leaders in mind but would not decide until the selection process takes place.
John Redwood addressing a Vote Leave event in Wokingham.
When asked by the News whether he was disappointed to see his constituents ultimately side against him when it came to the crunch, he insisted he was not as it is part of the democratic process.
He said: "I am not disappointed, I respect my constituents' decisions. When we represent people in Parliament we only get get one vote and that one vote might not be the same as the people's. We have to do the best we can do and represent as many people as we can.
"I was with the large number rather than the majority this time round and I have always been clear to constituents about what I believe in.
"I thought it would be about half and half and I wasn't far off, just this time I was with the minority rather than the majority. I think the people of Wokingham wanted this referendum and I saw there were those that held views on both sides."
He added to ease consituents' fears about the impending Brexit, he would write an 'open letter' to address 'where he was coming from (with his vote)' and clear up any issues about what leaving the EU will mean for the UK.
Posting on his online blog earlier today, he wrote: "Well done all of you who helped bring about this great victory for democracy.
"Now Parliament and government has to turn to the task of reassuring people and markets. I will write this afternoon about what needs to be done to implement the promises made by the Vote Leave campaign and to smooth the transition for businesses and investors."
John Redwood addressing a Vote Leave event in Wokingham.
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