THORNBURY and Yate MP and Remain supporter Luke Hall says safeguarding the British economy is now the number one priority.

In the aftermath of the Brexit win in the EU Referendum, Mr Hall has also said it is for Prime Minister David Cameron’s successor to trigger article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which will effectively give notice that Britain intends to leave the European Union.

The Conservative MP told the Gazette: “The British people have voted to leave the European Union by a clear majority.

“Although I personally voted to remain in the EU, the will of the British people will be respected and we must now turn to delivering that decision.

“As there was a clear democratic majority to leave, I cannot personally see any justification for a second referendum.”

He added: “We must now concentrate on safeguarding the British economy; we are the strongest major advanced economy in the world and our budget deficit has come down from over 11 per cent and was forecast to be 3 per cent this year.

“Our economy is in about a strong a position as it can be to confront the challenge it now faces from a position of strength.”

Amid criticism of the Brexit campaign’s lack of forward planning in the event of a victory, he said notice should only be given to leave Europe when ‘there is a clear view about what new arrangements we are seeking with our European neighbours’.

Added Mr Hall, who watched the results of the referendum vote from Westminster last Thursday: “The Conservative Party will now come together and start a contest to select a new leader and Prime Minister, who should be in place for the start of Conservative party conference in early October.

“Personally I will wait to see which candidates put themselves forward and make a decision about who I will be supporting in the coming days.”