by Ian Girling, chief executive, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry

HISTORY was made on June 23 when the UK went to the polls to vote on our membership of the European Union.

As we awoke to the historic news on the 24th, we saw the resignation of David Cameron.

Holding a referendum on EU membership was a key part of the Conservative manifesto in the 2015 general election and given his position on remaining and the result that followed, his position was effectively untenable.

On top of the huge implications of leaving the EU, we now also face the situation of a leadership campaign within Government which looks likely to be between Boris Johnson and Theresa May at this time and chaos within the opposition as Labour revolt and call for the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn.

We always knew it would be close, with a slim majority of 52 per cent of voters stating we should leave. The turnout was very high at 72.2 per cent. By comparison turnout for the 1975 referendum on EU membership stood at 64.6 per cent. The turnout at the 2015 general election was 66.1 per cent. This highlights how strongly people feel about EU membership and how the country has been completely divided over this highly emotive issue.

The referendum has been an extremely emotive and complex issue and feelings are very strong on both sides. People voted on a whole host of issues including of course the economy, immigration, sovereignty of the UK, the influence of Brussels on the UK and its bureaucracy. There are genuine questions as to how both sides have campaigned – and how difficult it has been for voters to make the right decision on this incredibly important issue. Neither the stay or leave camps have covered

themselves in glory during the campaign, often using the same and sometimes reckless arguments around the economy, international trade, immigration and national security. Business opinion has been split throughout the campaign and this result will please some and be of deep concern to others.

However the decision has been made and we need to accept this and work towards positive solutions and opportunities. Businesses are facing uncharted waters as the UK embarks on a process to leave the European Union, having never before been tried and tested. What is absolutely essential is we maintain a clear head and calm and balanced approach. Businesses will need clarity and information from government, particularly around the next steps as we extricate ourselves from the European Union. Business wants a clear timetable for how this process will unfold.

We will support our members and strongly campaign on key issues as a member of the British Chambers of Commerce. Our director general will be meeting Business Secretary Sajid Javid this week to begin to discuss the implications of the out vote and protect the interests of British businesses.

Our intention in Dorset is to engage, consult, provide information and campaign on key issues regarding leaving the EU – and ultimately protect the interests of businesses in Dorset. We will begin this process with a conference to begin to discuss the issues and hope to work with our partners including the Institute of Directors, the FSB, the eight town Chambers affiliated to DCCI and the Dorset and Daily Echo on this event. We will also be providing information to our members over the next few months on specific issues within the proposals to leave.

There is no doubt we face challenges ahead but we know that the Dorset business community is resilient and the board, ambassadors and staff of DCCI are totally committed to supporting, guiding and representing the views of our members on the implications of our exit from the EU.

If DCCI members have immediate concerns or questions or feedback regarding the leave vote and what this could mean for your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at contact@dcci.co.uk