In a bid to maintain equity and fairness, a clarion call has
been made by the Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, stating that vote leavers should
not be brand-named racists, while remainers should also be given consideration,
as well as the UK respecting EU countries.
While speaking, she stressed that the views of the 48%
voters who said the UK should remain in the EU “must be heard”, using the
opportunity to adjure to both sides of the referendum to bring to an end their
bitter battle.
Furthermore the leader of the Scottish Conservatives used a
speech to the Institute of Directors to label discussions with leave voters who
felt they were being branded “thick and racist” and others fed up with being
“mocked as remoaners”.
Though Davidson was a fervent crusader who wanted the UK to
maintain membership of the EU, warned of the current tensions that had been
made manifest during the Scottish referendum.
“Let me tell you, keeping these divisions open doesn’t end
well ... So I’d like to make a plea. Remainers need to accept that leavers are
not racist for having concerns about the EU and our system of immigration,” she
said.
“And – for leavers – it’s time to follow the lead of people
like Dan Hannan who point out that the views of the 48% of people across the UK
who backed remain must be heard. Voicing concerns about Brexit isn’t
‘remoaning’, there are genuine issues that need to be discussed.”
Davidson also appealed for Britain not to march towards
Brexit with a “macho, beer-swilling posturing at the golf club bar” approach
but instead a polite and sensible approach.
“Perhaps it’s just as well that we’ve got a woman in charge
at No 10,” she added, saying that Theresa May did not drink beer or play golf,
but did recognise the importance of “relationship management” with the EU 27.
Nevertheless, Davidson instead kindled her anger against
Ukip politicians, as she called on them to “grow up” and stop glorying about
the outcome of the referendum to EU leaders
Speaking further, she said, “I believe the way in which we
leave the European Union, and the way we conduct ourselves over these coming
years is going to be vital in how we view ourselves and in deciding whether we
get a good deal for us, and for Europe.”
“The global community is now watching to see how we comport
ourselves,” she added, saying that there was a choice to give way to what some
called “a nasty vision of a backward-looking, introspective Britain” or to step
forward and engage.
There has been a suggestion that May wants an end to discussions
of hard or soft options and wants instead to focus on a “grey Brexit”. Davidson
said: “Our decision to leave the European Union hasn’t determined which path
we’ll take. That’s a decision we’ll make as a nation.
“And one indicator is how we carry ourselves as we proceed
in the months ahead.”
She also launched a blistering attack on Ukip politicians,
calling on them to stop gleefully rubbing Europe’s noses in it.
“So I say to those Ukip politicians: when they chuckle and
bray about the result in June and how they’ve taught Europe a lesson, grow up.
“Let’s show a bit more respect for our European neighbours,
and allies please. We should do that for its own sake, because it is the right
thing to do. But even, if that is beyond their understanding, we should do it
for reasons of self-interest too.”
“We are not going to get a good deal if the image we project
to Europe is that of Nigel Farage needling Europeans by telling them their
economies depend on hungry British consumers. Let’s show some maturity. That
way, many people in Europe might start to see things from our point of view.”
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