It was unprecedented, it was a shock but it was also something this Government had simply not prepared for. For that, as your Prime Minister, I am sorry.
We didn’t recognise the anger you felt, the frustration with not getting a GP’s appointment, the inability to get on the housing ladder or your opinions on immigration.
We let those who promised you the earth and delivered little dominate the discussion while we offered nothing but scare tactics.
We called for unity to deliver Brexit but didn’t recognise the anger felt by those who wish to remain.
We didn’t listen, but we will learn.
The past two years has been riven with arguments, fall outs and scenes which have done little to re-establish trust in Parliament and elected MPs.
We now stand on the cliff edge, it is clear we will struggle to achieve a deal which will achieve what those who voted for us to leave wanted - a clean break with the European Union.
As Prime Minister I believe anything short of this would betray all those who voted in the
referendum, it would not deliver what Leave voters wanted and would never be accepted by remain supporters.
Therefore, as we asked for the people’s opinion on our relationship with the European Union we should now ask whether we should leave with no deal or remain.
I will ask Parliament to legislate for a vote this autumn; should it be approved then the choice will be simple, to leave or remain.
If your wish is to leave, your Government will exit the European Union on March 29 next year with no deal for the reasons I have stated above.
We will achieve the aims of a majority of voters who asked us to leave the European Union but we risk a period of economic uncertainty as we attempt to forge a new path in the world.
We will use the remaining months of our membership to put steps in place to ensure on day one of Britain’s Brexit, our banks will open, our supermarkets will be stocked and our flights will take off.
However, should you vote to remain, I give you my assurance it will not lead to further integration such as Schengen and there will be no debate or referendum on joining the Euro.
We will seek to reform the EU from within, proposing legislation to retain freedom of movement both in and out of our country but ensuring each of the member states can control immigration to benefit their individual economies.
We will seek to deliver better outcomes for our farmers, our fishermen and all those who find their daily work burdened by EU red tape.
We will oppose further attempts at integration with the threat of a further referendum. One which will be unambiguous, legally binding and require a super majority of 55-45 per cent.
Should it be needed, this result will be definitive and mean any further Conservative Government will not make the mistakes of the past and will deliver the clean break requested.
Let me be clear, a vote to remain would not be a continuation of the status-quo but an invitation to reform a deeply flawed institution.
Brexit has divided this nation for two years, it has put further strain on an already fractious union and has all but paralysed your Government.
The time for talking is over, now it is time to make that leap one way or another.
Britain deserves better, let us deliver together.
