TWO Conservative Gloucestershire MPs have reacted very differently to news that Britain will leave the European Union.

Stroud MP and remain campaigner Neil Carmichael said he was “disappointed” with the national result and warned of “inevitable” economic problems.

While Cotswold MP and Brexiter Geoffrey Clifton-Brown agreed that leaving will be “no easy process, he remained convinced that leaving was the best option for the medium and long-term future of the UK.

Mr Carmichael, a firm supporter of remaining in the EU, warned of a “difficult” two years ahead following Britain’s decision to leave. Speaking to the Gazette, he said he was proud of the result in Stroud but naturally disappointed by the result overall.

He warned there will be “inevitable problems that the economy will suffer” in the next two years.

Mr Carmichael also said he was sad to see David Cameron announce his resignation but said the PM had “no option”.

He said it was necessary for a new Prime Minister to take charge but said he does not foresee a need for another general election.

Conversely, Cotswold MP Mr Clifton-Brown, one of the pro-Brexit Tories, told the Gazette he was “pleased” with the verdict. He was, however, not quite so happy with Mr Cameron’s decision to resign, but said he understood the PM’s reasoning.

“I campaigned for a Brexit result and therefore I am pleased with the verdict that the British people have delivered,” he said.

“I anticipated that if this was indeed the result, then the Prime Minister would want to resign quickly, which is why I along with 83 other Conservative Members of Parliament signed the letter urging him not to do so to allow more time for considered reaction to implement the negotiating process before being plunged into a simultaneous leadership campaign.

“However, I fully understand the Prime Minister’s reasoning and now we will have to begin the leadership process and to elect a new Party Leader and Prime Minister. Whoever that might be will have a mandate to negotiate the best possible deal with our European partners.

“But nobody should be under any illusion that this will be an easy process.

“I remain absolutely convinced that for the medium and longer-term future of this country, the British people have come to the right verdict.”