Ruth Davidson calls for Brexit divisions to be healed

Ruth Davidson: Photo credit - PA

Ruth Davidson has urged the UK Government to avoid a “divisive Brexit” as she called for an end to the bitter infighting between people on opposing sides of the EU referendum debate.

In a speech to the Institute of Directors, the Scottish Conservative leader called on both Leave and Remain supporters to treat each other with respect.

She also argued the voices of the 48 per cent who backed staying in the EU “must be heard” as ministers prepare to negotiate Britain’s exit from the bloc.

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Davidson, a leading figure of the Remain campaign, warned against giving way to a “nasty vision of a backward-looking, introspective Britain”.

"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 said.

"To ensure we choose the path of openness and engagement, above all, I believe we must do all we can to avoid an unnecessarily divisive Brexit.

"That starts with coming back together and healing the divisions here at home that the referendum campaign has caused."

Davidson said the aftermath of the Scottish independence referendum should act as a warning that "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 added.

"And - for Leavers - it's time to follow the lead of people like Dan Hannan who point out that the views of the 48 per cent 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. This process of listening is utterly vital."

Davidson also took aim at UKIP politicians for “rubbing Europe’s noses” in the Brexit vote.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said Davidson’s call for a more respectful debate was “welcome but highly hypocritical”.

"If Ms Davidson was serious about maintaining good relations with the EU, she would be demanding that the UK government seek to remain in the single market - as she was doing just a few months ago - instead of enthusiastically signing up to the hard-right Tory Brexit which her colleagues in Westminster are now pursuing,” he said.