Cotton: British voters exercised 'sovereign right of self-government' in splitting from EU

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is shown in this Jan. 28, 2016 file photo.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is shown in this Jan. 28, 2016 file photo.

Sen. Tom Cotton said Friday he respects Britain's vote to leave the European Union and encouraged a continued strong relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

“The British people exercised their sovereign right of self-government, decisively choosing to leave the European Union," Cotton said in a statement. "We respect their decision and celebrate their democracy. Now is the time to preserve and strengthen our special relationship with the United Kingdom, which remains our closest NATO ally and a key member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. We should now begin negotiations on a free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom."

Cotton said the vote stands as an example of the power discontented citizens hold in elections.

“Meanwhile, the result of this referendum should remind leaders in Washington, London, Brussels, and across Europe that our citizens are dissatisfied with stagnant economies, declining wages, uncontrolled migration, rising crime, and terror attacks at home," Cotton said. "It’s time to abandon the failed policies of the past and solve the real problems of the present.”

The result has already caused some economic uncertainty and prompted U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to say he will resign.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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