Three tumultuous weeks in British politics

It has been a tumultuous three weeks in British politics following our vote to leave the European Union. David Cameron’s resignation, the machinations of the former Brexit campaigners, the Labour Party in a state of civil war and, at the time of writing, the installation of this country’s second female Prime Minister. 

The consequences of the Leave result are still uncertain – but what is clear is the sense that we are living in extraordinary times. It appears to be one of those moments in history when events move rapidly, with a changing of the old order and a realignment in our national politics.

I have been surprised by the ability of the “European question” to unleash such powerful emotions from both sides of this argument. The outcome (surprising to some) has revealed deep divisions on our society.

Rifts have emerged in various parts of the country, between urban and rural constituencies, generally, in the attitudes of the young versus the old and even within families and amongst friends. Time, it is to be hoped, will enable us to rebuild these connections and find reconciliation.  

Many of those who argued so passionately to remain in the European Union – and lost – are entitled to protest and demonstrate against this result. Indeed, it is one of the strengths of our democracy that we are able to vent outpourings of grief and disappointment through peaceful demonstration.

However, I cannot help but be slightly bemused by a petition calling for a second referendum, which at the moment has garnered 4.1 million signatures, and will now be debated in Parliament on September 5.

I fully respect the feelings behind its popularity but you cannot simply re-run a democratic process because you disagree with the result. The Labour Party once secured three General Elections in a row.

I didn’t like the result each time, but they still won even though far fewer people voted in favour of this result than people voting against. Similarly, legalistic attempts to retrospectively redefine the nature of the June 23 poll (as being merely advisory or indicative) are profoundly undemocratic and dangerous.

I am reminded of Gandhi who cautioned: “when criticising, we must remain humble and courteous so as not to cause any bitterness.” The use of invective from all sides must end. It is equally important for the victors in this debate to avoid triumphalism.  

Rather than attempting to re-run the campaign, I believe the debate now needs to move on and turn to what kind of post-EU deal one would want to see emerge in the months and years ahead. My starting point would include:

• An immigration policy that recognises the needs of the family, business and skills. This must include visa free travel to the continent, although I do not believe that maintaining in full the free movement of labour clauses of the EU Treaty is the way to achieve this.

• Beginning Trade Deal discussions with the rest of the world and not just the EU. We need to act as a bridge and our outlook needs to be global.

• Ensure that regional development, and farming support is continued in the post EU settlements. Even the WTO floor of paying tariffs to access the single market would be far cheaper than the UK’s current net contribution into the EU budget of £8.5 billion to enable these subsidies to be maintained.

• University and Research funding would need to be continued as this is one area of EU spending where we actually did rather well (although it is important to also remember that Brussels doesn’t generate money, it redistributes the membership fees of Member States).

• Infrastructure investment should be prioritised in order to build the economy and our corporate tax rates should be examined in order to ensure we retain our competitive edge. (Noting here that the Chancellor has already signalled an intention to cut this figure to below 15 per cent.)

I am personally optimistic about the world of possibilities that await our nation. But, it is essential to try to gently persuade or convince all those who do not presently share in this vision of our future or are hostile to this determined course of action.  However, as the new Prime Minister Theresa May has said, Brexit means Brexit, and we need to make a success of it.

Mark Weston, is leader of the Conservative Party group of councillors in Bristol.

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