Cameron to go following referendum defeat

Prime Minister is first political casualty of EU Referendum result

10 Downing Street

Prime Minister David Cameron made a statement in Downing Street following the outcome of the referendum for the UK to leave the European Union:

The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise – perhaps the biggest in our history. Over 33 million people – from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar – have all had their say.

We should be proud of the fact that in these islands we trust the people with these big decisions.

We not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements for how we are governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done.

The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side of the argument, including all those who put aside party differences to speak in what they believed was the national interest.

And let me congratulate all those who took part in the Leave campaign – for the spirited and passionate case that they made.

The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision.

So there can be no doubt about the result.

Across the world people have been watching the choice that Britain has made. I would reassure those markets and investors that Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong.

And I would also reassure Brits living in European countries, and European citizens living here, that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances. There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold.

We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union. This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced.

But above all this will require strong, determined and committed leadership.

I am very proud and very honoured to have been Prime Minister of this country for 6 years.

I believe we have made great steps, with more people in work than ever before in our history, with reforms to welfare and education, increasing people’s life chances, building a bigger and stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world, and enabling those who love each other to get married whatever their sexuality.

But above all restoring Britain’s economic strength, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped to make that happen.

I have also always believed that we have to confront big decisions – not duck them.

That’s why we delivered the first coalition government in 70 years to bring our economy back from the brink. It’s why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in Scotland. And why I made the pledge to renegotiate Britain’s position in the European Union and hold a referendum on our membership, and have carried those things out.

I fought this campaign in the only way I know how – which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel – head, heart and soul.

I held nothing back.

I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union, and I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone – not the future of any single politician, including myself.

But the British people have made a 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 will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.

There is no need for a precise timetable today, but in my view we should aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative party conference in October.

Delivering stability will be important and I will continue in post as Prime Minister with my Cabinet for the next 3 months. The Cabinet will meet on Monday.

The Governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps that the Bank and the Treasury are taking to reassure financial markets. We will also continue taking forward the important legislation that we set before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech. And I have spoken to Her Majesty the Queen this morning to advise her of the steps that I am taking.

A negotiation with the European Union will need to begin under a new Prime Minister, and I think it is 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 will attend the European Council next week to explain the decision the British people have taken and my own decision.

The British people have made a choice. That not only needs to be respected – but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work.

Britain is a special country.

We have so many great advantages.

A parliamentary democracy where we resolve great issues about our future through peaceful debate.

A great trading nation, with our science and arts, our engineering and our creativity respected the world over.

And while we are not perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multi-racial, multi-faith democracy, where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows.

Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I am the first to praise our incredible strengths.

I have said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union, and indeed that we could find a way.

Now the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way.

And I will do everything I can to help.

I love this country – and I feel honoured to have served it.

And I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed.

 

Summer Garden Party fun as Botanics welcomes the cream of the crop

DSC00480

The cream of Britain’s horticultural broadcasters are Scotland-bound as BBC Radio 4’s annual Gardeners’ Question Time (GQT) Summer Garden Party prepares to be hosted at  the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) on Saturday 9 July. Continue reading Summer Garden Party fun as Botanics welcomes the cream of the crop

We’re Leaving: An uncertain new dawn for Britain

Disaster, devastation, division – or wonderful opportunity?

Scotland says Stay but Britain says Leave

dawn

Britons have voted to leave the European Union. With a handful of regions still to declare it became certain at 6am that the Leave campaign has an unassailable lead with 52% of the vote. The nationwide turnout was 72%. Continue reading We’re Leaving: An uncertain new dawn for Britain

Voting’s underway

yes or no

Voting in the EU Referendum is now well under way across the city – Edinburgh’s 145 polling places have now been open for two hours.

More than 345,000 people are registered to vote in Edinburgh, with around 79,000 of these postal voters. As of Wednesday, 22 June, 65,029 people had returned their postal vote (82.1%).

Polling places will be open for voting between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday, 23 June, when residents will be able to have their say on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union.

The public are being reminded to think carefully before casting their vote, and ensuring they do so by marking one clear X on their ballot paper beside either the ‘remain’ or ‘leave’ option.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Counting Officer for Edinburgh, said: “Our elections staff have spent weeks gearing up for Edinburgh’s part in the EU Referendum, and I hope the city’s voters are ready to have their say too.

“This is an important decision for the UK, so it is essential that the public are well aware of the question being asked of them, and ensure they make their intentions clear by marking one ‘X’ on their ballot paper.”

Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday, 23 June, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Information on local polling places can be found on the poll card delivered to homes or online. Individuals who are registered but have lost or have not received a poll card are still eligible to vote.

Postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at any Edinburgh polling place before 10pm.

Voters must be over 18 years old and a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a registered British overseas citizen.

Find out more about voting in Edinburgh on the Council website.


Edinburgh’s EU Referendum by numbers

Edinburgh is split into five constituencies: East, North & Leith, South, South West and West.

There are 145 polling places encompassing 306 polling stations for the EU Referendum.

There will be 282,400 ballot papers spread over the polling stations.

We will use approximately 1300 ballot pencils attached to approx ¾ miles of across the polling stations.

650 people are employed as polling staff on the day with a further 550 working at the count on Thursday night

There will be 45 vans out on the roads collecting ballot boxes after the close of poll on Thursday night.

Firefighters support water safety campaign

Firefighters back Drowning Prevention Week (18 – 26 June)

Water Rescue team - on lines

Firefighters have joined calls for people to stay safe around water.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews are frequently called to emergencies where someone has gotten into difficulty on rivers, canals and lochs throughout the country.

While firefighters always do what they can to save lives, they know their specialist skills are not always enough. Around 400 people drown in the UK every year and the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) launched Drowning Prevention Week to make people aware of the dangers and support schools, clubs and leisure centres working to avoid needless tragedies.

It has created activity packs with a video, a lesson plan and guide for educators, which are available on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/water-safety/schools-and-community-groups-resources.aspx.

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott, the SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “Scotland enjoys some the most beautiful rivers, lochs, canals and reservoirs in the UK and every year thousands of people visit to enjoy them. We want everyone who comes to these spots to have a great time and not experience a tragedy.”

He continued: “It’s important to remember water can pose risks. By looking out for hazards, following advice and signs, never swimming alone and knowing what to do if an emergency does happen, people can help keep themselves and others safe.

“It’s also vital that parents talk to children about safety if they could be playing near to water.”

Waterways can look very calm on the surface but have strong undercurrents or hidden objects lying beneath, which could easily trap someone or cause serious injury.

Open water can also become very cold just a few feet under the surface and can cause cramps or cold water shock.

Very cold temperatures affect stamina and a person could find their strength and ability to swim deteriorate rapidly, much faster than would be the case in a heated pool.

It is also important that people never enter the water if they are under the influence of alcohol, as doing so could be a fatal mistake.

DPW-Press-release-image

The families of Cameron Gosling and Cameron Lancaster are both showing their support for Drowning Prevention Week and the RLSS charity.

Fourteen to 18-year-olds are the group most at risk of drowning and figures show that around 90 per cent of all 14 to 18-year-old drowning victims are male.

Cameron Lancaster tragically lost his life at the age of 18, after jumping into the disused Preston Hill Quarry in Inverkeithing, Fife, in August 2014.

His sister Ana, 15, spoke out for the first time since losing her brother and said: “I think that it’s incredibly important that Drowning Prevention Week is supported as widely as possible, as there needs to be more awareness of water safety and the dangers of large inland bodies of water, where many people have already lost their lives.

“My family and I are supporting the campaign by presenting talks in high schools around Scotland – where we can target my own age group of 14 to 18-year-olds.

“This age group really hits me hard as it’s also when people begin to really grow into their potential, and to cast all of that potential away due perhaps to ignorance is just unthinkable.

“I really hope that teens across the country hear this campaign and take it into account, as it may not only spare a life, but also the hurt that ripples throughout the communities when accidents like these do happen.”

Cameron’s mother, Gillian Barclay, added: “It is really important to take note of RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week messages, messages that can mean the difference between life and death.

“We would ask people to support the campaign to ensure they and their families stay safe. Let’s avoid any more tragedies wherever possible.”

Cameron Gosling from Crook, County Durham was just 14-years-old when he drowned whilst swimming in the River Wear, Witton Park, Durham, with friends on 5 July last year (2015) after he jumped from a rock into the river.

His mother, Fiona said: “My phone went and it was a text saying Cameron had jumped into the river – he hasn’t come back up and we can’t find him. Then, when I saw someone walking up the drive later that night I knew they had found him.

“Cameron was a popular, fun and caring teenager whose life ended too soon.

“I have been working with RLSS UK to give children and teenagers the education and knowledge not to expose themselves to dangers when playing near rivers and lakes.

“I want to prevent any more people losing their lives to drowning and to stop any more families having to go through the pain and loss we have been and are still going through.”

Eighty per cent of all summer drowning victims are male, and it is hoped that targeting this high risk group will drive vital water safety messages home to thrill-seeking young people before the school summer holidays.

To help target this group RLSS UK has created new, hard-hitting education resources including an interactive presentation for secondary schools. The presentation ‘Drowning – It’s up to you’ focuses on teenagers’ choices and how the decisions they make can have disastrous effects. The presentation is also accompanied by additional resources including school lessons, assembly briefings, games and activities.

RLSS UK’s Chief Executive Officer, Di Steer said: “Around 400 people needlessly die from drowning each year and thousands more suffer injury, some life changing, through near drowning experiences. Putting these figures into context one person dies from drowning in the UK every 20 hours and over a third of all drownings occur over the summer months.

“We all know that water can be fun and a way to cool off in the summer, however it is important that children know how to stay safe. Every year we tragically see an increase in the amount of drownings over the summer period and we want to stop this.

“We hope during this year’s campaign we reach this key age-group, most at risk of drowning, as well as continuing to target younger children before they reach the age they will be most vulnerable.”

Each year, Drowning Prevention Week drives home water safety messages throughout a targeted week of activities, demonstrating how to stay safe and have fun near water. It also serves to raise money for the RLSS UK’s drowning prevention work.

Last year, thousands of primary schools, leisure centres and community groups delivered water safety lessons or events and this year the campaign aims to reach over 180,000 people with water safety educational resources.

For more information on RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, download free resources and get safety advice – visit  www.rlss.org.uk

Drowning Prevention Week 2016 (1)