CommonSpace speaks to Leave voters angry at the Tory approach to Brexit
LEFT-WING and Scottish nationalist eurosceptics have spoken out in interviews with CommonSpace to reject Tory attacks on migrants’ rights following the vote to leave the European Union (EU).
38 per cent of Scots, over one million people, backed the vote to leave the EU across the political spectrum – including many SNP voters and voices on the left of the political spectrum.
However, hate crimes surged following the Brexit victory with right-wing politicians claiming the result as a mandate to reduce migrants rights and halt inward migration.
Migration was a key issue in the campaign, with leave figures like Nigel Farage criticised for racist campaigning.
Yet the referendum also involved many other complex criticism of the EU, including over perceived failing on democracy, social justice, and transparency.
CommonSpace spoke to a group of Leave voters in Scotland about why they supported the campaign, and their reflections over 100 days after the vote.
Janette, North Lanarkshire
“I didn't and still don't see the point of complaining about Westminster control and accepting European control. Though at the time I was unsure if closer ties with Europe might have been beneficial regarding independence.
“[It’s gone] just as I had expected, the whole thing seemed a Tory nonsense to start with. I’m concerned mostly over Tories and press’ (not yourselves obviously) negative disgusting portrayal of refugee and migrant issues. It’s scare tactics again.
“I lost faith in politicians and what they say years ago. All this scapegoating, particularly of migrants, is to stop people thinking about the actual mess politicians have created.
“I’m concerned mostly over Tories and press’ negative, disgusting portrayal of refugee and migrant issues. It’s scare tactics again.”
“The choice in Scotland was either in or out. [It had] no relevance to independence – I feel the leave vote in England was in many cases an angry protest against not having a say in politics. Ihave wondered how it would have turned out if Scotland hadn’t had the 2014 referendum.
“We might be better in or we might be better out. Personally I think it’s far too political – the EU could change its mind on any rules or regulations to suit. If it suited to stop free movement, it would. Its purpose is to serve the governments and businesses of Europe, and elsewhere, not serve its citizens.”
Liam Stevenson, Cumbernauld
“Having considered my position – formed from hours of reading and discussing the pros and cons – I concluded that the EU was not something that had ordinary people at it's heart. It was in fact a neoliberal wet dream and this was something that I could never bring myself to validate.
“I also looked at the countries who had previously been bailed out (particularly Greece) and then bound up with horrendous austerity measures – that had terrible negative effects on ordinary people – this again I could not stand (given the option) being associated with something that does this to people.
“The fashion in which the refugee crisis was dealt with was another factor.
“I also drew parallels to why I voted Yes in 2014 and being a principled type I would not turn my back on these principles – if it was Yes to leave Westminster it had to be leave in the EU referendum.
“The way that the Tories are behaving post Brexit meaning Brexit is alarming and I'd hope that would give some extra momentum to the desire to dissolve the union.”
“The political carnage was something I predicted prior to Brexit. I did expect to take the Tory government out – as the vote did – I did hope that Labour could have taken full advantage of the fragility of the Tories having a split within their party post Brexit but thanks to the Blairites that never happened.
“I did also expect (post remain) a massive surge towards UKIP like we seen post No in 2014 where the SNP became the 3rd largest party in the UK, that particular beast would have been nasty.
“There absolutely should be a coming together within the YES movement, leave or remain. My personal reasons for leave were intrinsically linked to my reasons for voting Yes and there are many others who did the same. One problem I have heard though is that some 2014 Yes voters would vote No if it meant re-joining the EU. I would hope that that could be a debate that takes place in the independent Scotland.
“The way that the Tories are behaving post Brexit meaning Brexit is alarming and I'd hope that would give some extra momentum to the desire to dissolve the union.”
Craig, business owner near Aberdeen
“I don't believe that the creation of a United States of Europe is a good thing and I resent what the EU has become without seeking a proper mandate from the 'citizens'. I am not convinced that the benefits of being part of the EU are as great as they are claimed to be.
“I was disgusted with the way the EU, Germany in particular, treated Greece. My company does a lot of business in Greece and I can see the effects it has had on the country.
“The things they are saying about migrants is sickening. That's why I want Scotland out of this dying Union.”
“The response to the leave vote has been as expected. Hysteria and scaremongering. Very much like we experienced during Indyref. The collapse in the stock market was a blip. Even then we were told that just because the FTSE 100 had recovered, the FTSE 250 would not. All scaremongering based upon very little fact. I predicted that the stock market would recover and that the pound would weaken. I also predicted that Westminster would ignore the 'Leave' vote. Looks like I was wrong on the latter.
“The things they are saying about migrants is sickening. That's why I want Scotland out of this dying Union.
“I personally have not experienced any real problems with independence supporters uniting, whether they voted leave or remain. Independence is more important than the EU issue for many it seems.”
Ailsa, Millport
“I voted leave as I oppose the political union aspects of the EU. Single market, free movement, I am fine with. I disagree with the political union and the democratic deficit it embodies.
“I am very concerned about the Tory approach to Brexit. The whole thing it utterly FUBAR. It's apparent after the fact, that we don't know what we voted on. Tory's are defining this to mean whatever they want it to mean. Their messages on immigration are abhorrent.”
“[It has gone] not as expected. I'm not sure what I expected! Overall I expected that we'd voted based on the ‘EU”’, and I've taken a very literal expectation of what the ‘EU’ is. The EEA (single market) is not the EU, and that wasn't on the ballot sheet. Indeed Norway is in the EEA and not in the EU. The customs union wasn't on the ballot sheet either!
“I am very concerned about the Tory approach to Brexit. The whole thing it utterly FUBAR. It's apparent after the fact, that we don't know what we voted on. Tory's are defining this to mean whatever they want it to mean. I didn't vote to leave the EEA. Their messages on immigration are abhorrent.
“I am in favour of independence. For me, independence first, always. It's for Scotland to decide her own future not Westminster. In another Scottish Independence referendum I'll vote for independence (then I'll whine about the undemocratic EU!).”
Pete, Glasgow
“My politics could be described as anarchist in nature and I usually vote against the establishment or to elicit the greatest amount of change. Also as a Marxist it is hard to vote for and subsequently validate what is essentially a neoliberal economic organisation that often sides with the capitalist over the worker.
“Also Greece, wtf was that about. I believe that the trend of the working classes veering to right wing populism will not go away itself. We need to give it a platform so that people can see the destructive nature of right wing populist movements and that the establishment and press are not working in their interests.
“Political attacks on migrants’ rights are very shocking to be honest the liberal economic Cameronites are well and truly deposed. Its like a Tory party of the 50s!”
“I think part of me (not proud of this) voted tactically for another referendum. I have grown enormously resentful of the British state as I develop my understanding of modern British history and this was reflected in the destructive nature of my vote.
“I didn't expect there to even be a Leave vote. The lack of preparation from all parties was contemptuous but unsurprising. The gung ho charge into a hard brexit is shocking. I expected more back peddling and calls for a second euref. The implosion of Labour was comical and bizarre. I did not expect the surge in English hate crime, that is worrying, though the lack of a surge in Scotland has confirmed my suspicions that we are indeed more tolerant but of course there is a lot of work to do in this area.
“We must be open to having a sensible conversation without dismissing people as racists.”
“Political attacks on migrants’ rights are very shocking to be honest the liberal economic Cameronites are well and truly deposed. Its like a Tory party of the 50s!
“My whole family voted Leave as a two fingers [to the establishment] and were all relatively pro immigration but that is anecdote and not representative. Xenophobia was a driving factor, yes, but it’s more complex than that.
“I suspect it was a combination of voting out of, anti-establishment sentiment, racism/xenophobia, a rejection of globalisation based on misunderstanding (being left out of its benefits), protest, far left economics, pro independence tactics. It is very irrational for double standard unionists to hijack the Scottish leave vote.
“We have to acknowledge that many working class people do not understand or feel the benefits of globalisation. We will not without them. Although I feel anti immigration sentiment is irrational and unfounded, we must be open to having a sensible conversation without dismissing people as racists.
“The same applies to people’s distrust of the EU. Personally I feel that an independent Scotland would benefit economically from EU membership despite my own Marxist politics. I would however like to see a Scoxit somewhere down the line. There must be an anti-EU voice within the next independence campaign.”
Alan, Aberdeen
“I have always been against the EU. As a socialist I see it as being undemocratic, primarily for big business and against ordinary people. There are too many unelected and unaccountable people in positions of power. That's not to say there aren't good points, but the bad outweighed the good in my opinion.
“I am very concerned about the way the Tories are handling it. I am in favour of free movement but that seems to be the main thing the Tories are trying to stop.”
“I certainly didn't expect the levels of racism and xenophobia that are currently being expressed by government, media and others! I thought the Brexit negotiations would begin a lot sooner before all this nationalistic jingoism started to wind people up.
“I am very concerned about the way the Tories are handling it. I am in favour of free movement but that seems to be the main thing the Tories are trying to stop. Immigration is a positive thing here in Scotland, in fact we need it!
“I have always been, and still very much am, in favour of Scottish independence. I am happy to campaign with anyone on that topic, as long as it is done in a positive and non- racist way.
“Even though I am anti-EU I would rather be in an independent Scotland within the EU than a rightwing led UK.”
Paul, Glasgow
“I feel the EU itself isn't as democratic as it should be. I was influenced a lot by Tony Benn. He said there was a lack of accountability with MEPs and I agreed with that. Off the top of my head I know who my MP is, who my MSP is and most of the list MSPs are. I don't know who represents me in the EU parliament. The main factor though was their handling of the election of Syriza in Greece. I saw the conditions of the bailout as an overruling of the democratic will of the Greek people. As a socialist and a democrat I could never side with such a decision.
“Although I voted for ‘Lexit’ I was completely aware of the narrative being used by Tories and Ukip. Backed by the Murdoch press, I felt this was inevitable.
“I am happy to have anyone in Scotland who wants to be here…the problem comes from a cut happy government and companies who willing exploit their workers.”
“I’m concerned but not surprised [about the reaction]. Cameron didn't want this and was sure of a win. The fact they have no plan on how to handle it was expected. I can't remember anyone asking what the exit plan would be with as much gusto as the Yes movement was during the tail end of the Indy ref campaign.
“I feel that to win back the working class vote, Labour do need to have a debate on immigration as it's clear that this was a line for a lot of their core vote. For me, I am happy to have anyone in Scotland who wants to be here. The debate on immigration has to be framed that the people who are arriving here are no threat to your chances of employment. The problem comes from a cut happy government and companies who willing exploit their workers.
“I feel on the left there is a real passion for change. Whether you voted remain or leave is irrelevant. We all want the same thing. However, there are a certain section of remain voters who are part of the yes movement who would like to paint me as a racist.
“I’ve been involved in anti-fascist politics since I was 17. That could possibly be a hurdle but I think the longer this goes on and the opportunity of independence is on the horizon it won’t matter. If Scotland became independent and Ireland was united I would be pretty happy with leaving the EU.”
Check out what people are saying about how important CommonSpace is. Pledge your support today.
Picture courtesy of David Holt
