The past week has been the most turbulent time I have ever known in British politics.

The unexpected vote to leave the European Union has caused a chain reaction across the economic and political landscapes as people struggle to digest what this momentous decision means for Britain.

It may not have been the result that I wanted, but I respect the decision expressed across the country and here in Furness.

The challenge we all have now is to make this choice work. We voted to Leave, that much is clear, but what is less clear is what Leave actually means.

Throughout the campaign the leaders of the Leave campaign were challenged to define what they expected our new relationship with our neighbours in Europe to be.

Their failure to do so, or to have any sort of plan at all for what happens now, is what is causing the current chaos. And I have already heard from many Leave voters who believed the promises they were made about extra money for the NHS and an end to freedom of movement and were dismayed to see those pledges ripped up the day after the result.

The government really need to get their act together quickly, reassure the markets and start putting the negotiation framework in place.

This is about the future of our country and all parties need to be involved in agreeing a deal.

Too many people have already put their own personal ambition ahead of the national interest, we can’t now have a bidding war where Tory politicians promise unrealistic deals in order to become prime minister and then deal with the consequences after. The stakes are too high now.

Leadership is vital, which is why I decided this week to support a vote of no confidence in my own party leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

I didn’t support Jeremy when he stood for leader, both because his commitment to unilateral disarmament would damage our area and because I didn’t think he had the leadership skills required for the job.

What is significant now is that my colleagues who tried their best to make it work have come to the conclusion that it is simply impossible to envisage him as a future prime minister.

We need both a functioning government and a competent opposition which is why for the good of the country I am urging Jeremy to step aside.

That has already provoked strong feelings on both sides locally. But amid those who are very cross with me, I am struck by the number of Labour supporters who have got in touch to say they support the stance I have taken.

Amid all the turmoil, there is still plenty of cause for optimism. I have been told privately by a very senior government figure that we can still expect the vote on replacing our Vanguard submarines to be brought to the House of Commons in the next few weeks.

The result is not in doubt, there is a cast-iron majority in support of renewal and it will pass easily. Yet hopefully parliamentary approval will remove any lingering uncertainty and act as a green light for investment in our area.

The future may be uncertain, but I want to reassure everyone that the shipyard is safe and there is plenty of cause for optimism.

I know many people were passionate about this referendum, but the campaign is now over. The division caused by the debate must not be allowed to fester and divide our community.

Britain stands at an historic crossroads, it is more important than ever that we all come together to shape a positive future for our area. Whatever happens, I will be working hard to make sure Furness secures prosperity in the years ahead.

John Woodcock

MP for Barrow and Furness