ACCORDING to the national news, David Cameron says he has no regrets about calling the Referendum on the membership of the European Union.

As far as I am concerned, neither should he have. This former Conservative Prime Minister delivered on a pledge using the democratic process to allow the British people to decide for themselves whether or not they wanted the United Kingdom to remain as members of the European Union or to leave the European Union.

The ballot paper was clear ­— remain or leave.

There was plenty of information on the subject as well as extensive campaigns through television, radio, the press and on the streets mounted by those on both sides of the argument resulting in an overall turnout of 72.2 per cent.

A turnout on a par with that of a General Election, or perhaps even greater, and certainly far far greater than that at local elections or, if I recall correctly even for the European Parliament.

Of the 72.2 per cent of the electorate who voted, 48.1 per cent wished the United Kingdom to remain as members of the European Union and 51.9 per cent of the electorate who voted wished the United Kingdom to leave.

Unfortunately, what I find incredible about the current situation is that there appears to be some who do not seem to be able to understand the democratic process.

And, although the margin between remain and leave is small, this is a collective total, there were far wider variances throughout the country one as much as 41.2 per cent to remain and 58.8 per cent in favour of leaving.

Perhaps it is also worth reminding ourselves that some General Elections have produced very small majorities and that some local government councillors have been elected with very small majorities some in single figures.

Personally, I am appalled at the behaviour of some politicians, and particularly those who feel that anyone voting leave did not understand the situation.

Or worse still, were lesser educated than others. How dare they. Is no one allowed an opinion different from their own and even if there are some without higher educational qualifications, they probably possess common sense in abundance.

During my mayoral year, I had the pleasure of welcoming into the Mayoral Parlour a party of German students and was asked by one of them what I thought of Brexit ( not an expression that I like), going on to say such a referendum would never have been allowed in Germany on the grounds it would be too dangerous.

I replied the decision was reached by a majority of the Great British people using the democratic process and that the United Kingdom has never backed off dangerous decisions.

In conclusion, as far as I am concerned, a second referendum is not the answer, this is a national issue and party politics should not enter into it.

A referendum has taken place a result has ensued; surely it is not beyond the wit of those we have elected to parliament to work out a solution which honours that result.

Cllr Dorothy Gunther

North Manor Ward