Prime Minister David Cameron decided to step down from his position after British people disregarded his request for Britain to stay in the European Union. The result of the referendum was 52-48 percent, a win for the Leave campaign.
“The British people have made the very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction. I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination,” said Cameron on Friday morning.
Cameron said he already advised Queen Elizabeth about his decision to resign. He did not provide details regarding the schedule of his departure, but indicated that the country will have a new leader when the Conservative Party holds its annual conference in October.
Cameron says a new leadership is necessary
Cameron has been serving Britain as Prime Minister for six years. He took office as leader of a coalition government in 2010. He was re-elected for the second-term with a surprising majority vote during the national election in May. He is supposed to serve as Prime Minister until 2024.
According to him, “This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required. I think it’s right that this new prime minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU.”
“I love this country – and I feel honored to have served it. I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed,” said Cameron.
EU leadership demanded Britain to activate Article 50 negotiations
The Article 50 of Treaty of the European Union (TEU) requires a Member State of the EU to notify the European Council regarding its decision to withdraw its membership. The Union will negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State and set out the arrangement for its withdrawal. The Union will also take into account its future relationship with the State during the negotiation.
The EU leadership demanded the United Kingdom to activate the Article 50 negotiations “as soon as possible however painful that process may be.”
In a joint statement, the EU leadership said, “Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty. We have rules to deal with this in an orderly way. Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union sets out the procedure to be followed if a Member State decides to leave the European Union.”
“We stand ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the United Kingdom regarding the terms and conditions of its withdrawal from the European Union. Until this process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this.”
