UK must not turn back on EU: David Cameron

Britain must not turn its back on Europe or the rest of the world even though it is leaving the EU, Prime Minister David Cameron told Parliament on Monday after a shock referendum backed a Brexit.

“Britain is leaving the European Union but we must not turn our back on Europe or the rest of the world,” he said, adding: “We have to determine the kind of relationship we want with the EU”.

“It is going to be difficult... This is going to be far from plain sailing,” he told MPs, while also trying to reassure following a plunge in the financial markets in the wake of the referendum. “We are well placed to face the challenges ahead,” he said.

He also said that different parts of the United Kingdom would be involved in consultations on withdrawal from the European Union, after Scotland said a new independence referendum could be on the cards since Scotland had voted against leaving.

“Scotland benefits from being in two single markets”, the EU and the rest of Britain, he said. “In my view the best outcome is to try and keep Scotland in both,” he added.

He also reiterated that he would leave it to his successor to formally start Brexit negotiations with the EU. He held a Cabinet meeting to set up a new government unit to embark on the task of ending Britain’s 43-year membership, which would make it the first country ever to leave the club. The Conservative Party on Monday recommended that his replacement as party chief and prime minister be installed by September 2 at the latest.

Top Brexit campaigner and ex-mayor of London Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Theresa May, who wanted Britain to stay in the European Union but is seen as a unifying candidate, are seen as the favourites.