Kezia Dugdale: EU referendum result exposed Scotland’s divisions

The EU referendum exposed the same social divisions as it did in the rest of the UK, Kezia Dugdale said today. The Scottish Labour leader also called on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to get on with the work of governing Scotland after a destabilising Leave vote.

Dugdale drew links between a vote to leave the EU and a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum, highlighting how the poorest areas of Scotland saw high turnouts for both. She argued these votes were caused by discontent from growing social instability, which resulted in fears about immigration.

“The places where high Leave votes were found in Scotland are some of the poorest communities in our country. Many of them are also places that voted in large numbers for Yes in the Scottish referendum,” Dugdale said in a speech in Edinburgh this morning.

“Politicians of every party in Scotland need to face up to the fact that we are not immune to the deep divisions that made people vote leave in England and Wales. It’s a wake up call to us in the Labour Party too.”

“For decades, the deal in this country was that if you worked hard, paid your fair share and played by the rules you would be rewarded. The last ten years have seen that deal broken.

“All those building blocks of a safe, solid and secure family life have been chipped away at. It’s no wonder people feel more and more anxious about the future today than they ever have.

“On to this background, many people turned and also said to politicians that they had concerns about immigration. But instead of listening and responding to these concerns, too often simple answers were given to very complex questions.”

Dugdale demanded the SNP protects public services and got on with the business of Government.

“Nicola Sturgeon’s minority Government was sent into office with plans for our schools, hospitals and public services. This has to continue to be the priority.

“Vast and wide ranging new powers are coming to the Scottish Parliament over tax and welfare. They must be properly prepared for and the Government must set out how they will use them.

“Brexit may have shocked people across Scotland, but the shock to our economy and our politics cannot be compounded by our Government taking its eye off the ball when it comes to our vital public services.”

Scotland voted to remain in the EU by 62 to 38 per cent, leading to calls for a second independence referendum from the SNP.

Since the result the EU has confirmed its only negotiations will be with the UK. It is the responsibility of leaders from the devolved administrations to work with Westminster to ensure their nations’ interests are represented.