We hear from people across the South Hams about their response to last Thursday's Brexit vote.Chris Cuddihee, vice-chair of the South Hams Labour Party: ’Turnout at last week’s EU Referendum was an impressive 80.2 per cent across the South Hams District Council area in contrast to just 66 per cent at last year’s General Election.

’It was satisfying for our local Labour activists attending the count in Totnes to see the huge turnout and consequent strong vote for Remain. There were clear signs of this on polling day as we worked to encourage people to vote in and around Ivybridge.

’As we canvassed from street to street we met individuals or couples walking to the polling station with their ballot cards in their hand. There can be no doubt South Hams voters were hugely engaged with the referendum.

’Many voters I spoke to throughout the campaign were genuinely surprised that my colleagues and I were able to consistently report our canvassing showed strong support for Remain across the voting area.

’The Leave campaign did a good job putting up boards and posters that creating the impression of strong support for Leave whereas parts of our voting area never saw the largely Conservative ‘Stronger In’ campaign meaning local Labour campaigning made a crucial difference to the South Hams result.

’Across Devon & Cornwall just two areas voted Remain – Exeter and the South Hams. Ben Bradshaw and Gary Streeter were both consistent advocates for Remain.

’Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes, flip flopped from Leave to Remain just two weeks before polling day apparently on the basis that she didn’t like some of the things being said by her Conservative colleagues on the Leave campaign.

’It is hard to conclude that Dr Wollaston contributed meaningfully to the South Hams vote for Remain, particularly since many parts of her parliamentary constituency voted Leave.

’What struck us at the count at Totnes Leisure Centre in the early hours of Friday morning was the consistent vote in favour of Remain across the South Hams area. It was probably unsurprising to find Totnes town voting 65/35 Remain and towns like Salcombe and Dartmouth voting 55/45 Leave.

’Perhaps more surprising to readers and voters is that Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, Wembury, Yealmpton, Newton Ferrers, Modbury and Aveton Gifford all favoured Remain by up to 10 percentage points. Areas such as South Brent and Ugborough favoured Remain by even larger margins.

’British politics have been turned upside down since last Friday morning – the Conservative Party seeks a new leader to bind together it’s warring factions; the Labour Party has similar problems.

’There can be no doubt this referendum engaged and motivated South Hams voters. An autumn 2016 or spring 2017 General Election looks inevitable and I hope the electorate are similarly engaged and enthused by the issues. And after "project fear" and Vote Leave’s misinformation wouldn’t it be great to have a positive General Election campaign at a turning point in our nation’s history.’

David Hanmer, director of Toad Hall Cottages and chairman of Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce: ’It is with great sadness that there was a majority vote, albeit a small one, to exit the EU last Thursday but interesting to see that the good people of the South Hams voted to remain.

’It was also a sad day for the young people of Great Britain who mostly feel that they were let down by the electorate and more particularly, the older generation. However, It was good to see that our local MP, Sarah Wollaston changed her mind and joined the “remain” campaign.

’As chairman of the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce and having been in business in the South Hams for nearly 30 years, I advised our workforce of nearly 50 employees that a vote for the remain campaign was my considered best course of action.

’A stable financial environment is the key to a successful business so if the company prospers, then so do the people who work for it as well as the many businesses, tradesmen and women who are associated with it.

’I was concerned that an exit vote might trigger a recession and sadly that might become a reality. The campaign rhetoric was awful with both sides threatening “Donner und Blitzen” so it is no wonder that the electorate got fed up and took the “protest vote” route.

’Now we have a political crisis in both the Labour and Conservative parties. David Cameron resigning as Prime Minister and the likelihood of a general election in the Autumn.

’Who will profit from that? Nigel Farage, so we take a giant step to the right alongside with many emerging right wing parties in Europe, which is just a precursor to the break-up of the EU. Just what we wanted say some of the Brexiteers but that spells terrible dangers for Europe and its security.

’Add to that a referendum in Scotland so the possibility of losing our nuclear submarine base which could mean a move to Plymouth. Calls from Sinn Fein for Northern Ireland to become part of the Irish Republic so the likelihood of troops back on the streets of Belfast. Did no politician see this coming or am I just being alarmist?

’The EU is not perfect and most of us understand that but surely that could be fixed from within. We appear to have taken the most dangerous of paths that could spell a very difficult time for all of us, not just those of us in business.

’We will soldier on as best we can but the exit process could be a long and painful process. We are not immune from the outside world, the value of sterling against the dollar will add to fuel prices, plunging shares will place pension funds in jeopardy and foreign holidays will become more expensive. Should be good news for a local holiday cottage agency but I am not so sure.’

Grahame and Diane Powell, Kingsbridge, said: ’Brilliant result. Let’s hope we can submit Article 50 ASAP and move towards getting out of Europe as soon as possible.

’Europe is on on the way to becoming a huge superstate run by the French and the Germans. It wouldn’t have been long before there would have been a European army and the take over of all economic decisions.

’In its current form it is a bureaucratic non accountable beast which will only get worse if not controlled.

’We are Great Britain and we will be great again.

’We got through Brown’s Boom and Bust, what we are going through just now with the FTSE and currency rates is nothing to what happened then. Today as I write these are improving. That’s what happens when backing the wrong horse.

’Thank goodness that the silent majority who have been ignored for decades. They have had their say and spectacularly voted in their droves. The remainers ignored their views and lost.

’Having been a young mod from London in the 60s. We changed the face of everything from clothes, music, women’s rights, gay rights etc. We were known as the progressive age so these spoilt pompous children of today should listen to us old people that they are so quick to put down.

’We’ve seen mortgage rates of 15 per cent, three-day weeks, exchange control regulations and much more. We gritted our teeth, brought up our children with love and discipline. Universities were for the professions; college for art etc, there were apprenticeships for trades and everyone else went to work. These were the good old days before we were put into Europe without our say so.

’One last point. We have won two world wars. Many many brave young men lost their lives fighting for Great Britain to keep it great not to bow down to Europe.’

Gareth Derrick, close runner-up in the recent Police and Crime Commissioner elections: ’Sadly, it is clear to many people now that you don’t get something just by voting for it. This obvious statement is, or at least should be, the central plank of political understanding in our country today.

’The Conservative government was elected on a promise to rebuild the economy, and eliminate the budget deficit by 2020. The Labour Party elected a new leader last year, who was to reconnect with the working people of our country and forge success in the 2020 election. Our vote to leave the EU will unleash a vibrant outward looking economy that will make Britain great again. Much of this has already failed or is failing.

’Perhaps we as voters should take and long hard look, not only at how the Westminster establishment do their business, but how we make our decisions when voting?

’The result of the referendum is clear, but so is the fact that if only 3 per cent of voters had reversed their choice, our country would be on a very different track. This shows just how badly split we are on Europe. The South Hams for example had an equally close but opposite result, just in favour of remaining in the EU.

’The cake we want to eat is a vibrant economy based on full access to the single market and full control of immigration, but the reality is going to be very different. Entering a period of difficult negotiation akin to a bitter divorce, we have unleashed a temporary political meltdown in the UK, as our government and opposition begins to comprehend the challenge. This trauma, like divorce, may be a good thing in the end.

’The next Prime Minister will take up the reigns, chosen not by voters but by members of the Conservative party, and may suggest that we keep calm and carry on – implementing their manifesto promises from 2015 as well as exit from the EU, and working to avoid break-up of the United Kingdom.

’Putting aside the terrible damage that the Tory government has already inflicted on this country, it is unthinkable that these plans could proceed without the test of an early general election possibly as soon as this Autumn. They are simply unachievable as a whole and would betray so many people in our country.

’Facing very real challenges in the way forward from the referendum result, we must insist our politicians do much better than we have seen of late. We must expose and thoroughly discredit those that peddle distortion and exaggeration, exemplified by Boris Johnson and others saying that Brexit will free £350m each week for the NHS.

’An effective Opposition is critical to our democracy too, but the challenge for Labour goes far beyond that. With time now very short, my party must make absolutely sure that it truly is in touch with our people, and be ready to offer a credible alternative government. This means building on the achievements of our existing MPs with new and talented candidates that are ready to deliver on the front benches at Westminster.

’Crisis often brings about great moments in our history based on profound change. The rejection of the elite and divisive political class that currently dominates at Westminster is thought to be the real cause of the referendum result. As damaging as this result is, it is also a great opportunity for our country, with political battle-lines being re-drawn and voters who have had enough of the fruitless hype we have seen so much of.

’Let us make sure we understand and believe in our politicians when we are given the chance to decide who will take this historic result forward.’

Gary Streeter MP, Conservative: ’The people have spoken. The vote to leave the EU was close but decisive. What happens next?

’The Prime Minister has resigned as I forecast and we will have a new leader in place by September 2. Whether he or she then triggers an early general election to seek a fresh mandate for the actions they propose remains to be seen.

’At the same time the Labour Party has descended into a civil war. This all adds to the sense of insecurity and turmoil that many people are feeling.

’There has been a Brexit impact on the currency and stock exchange, but this can be contained. The real problems may arise over the next few months and years as investment decisions in the UK are delayed or cancelled.

’There are signs we are heading into recession. I sincerely hope not as people lose their jobs and government has less to spend on public services and vital infrastructure like our rail upgrade.

’It is for the new Prime Minister to press the button on the formal two-year departure process (Article 50). In the meantime civil servants are analysing all of the decision on which negotiations will take place with the other 27 EU countries in the run up to separation, which will presumably be in 2018/19.

’Until then we remain part of the EU, and trade and immigration will continue as now. The crucial thing to try to negotiate is continued access to the single market without free movement of people (immigration). I think it is unlikely to be possible but hope I am wrong.

’So a period of peace-time turbulence like never before. Many people have e-mailed calling for a second referendum. I just don’t think this is possible. Imagine the outcry if Westminster tried to side-step the decision the people have made.

’Detailed legislation will have to be passed by the House before Brexit becomes a reality. This provides an opportunity for further reflection, although again, it is essential to respect the decision taken.

’One of the many unpleasant aspects of the last three months is the licence that some of our citizens think they now have to behave in a racially abusive way to people living here from other countries. This is completely unacceptable and must stop.

’The future is uncertain, but I believe that we can make it work. Be patient as we seek a way of implementing the decision without wrecking our country.’