As the after-effects of the decision to withdraw from the EU continue to be felt across the country, the Times sought the views of two local campaigners on opposing sides of the argument – one from Tunbridge Wells and one from Wealden
Remain Husnara Begum – Tunbridge Wells
I’m extremely pleased the majority of people in Tunbridge Wells voted for Remain, especially in light of the whitewash that swept the rest of Kent.
I thought our local Remain campaign had the edge in the run-up to the Referendum, but I was still pleasantly surprised when the result came in.
We campaigned tirelessly from 7am each day – even in the torrential rain – and our work paid off, but it is a massive shame to be entirely surrounded by areas which voted for Brexit.
From a personal point of view as a first generation immigrant from Bangladesh, I worry about the racist undertones in some parts of the Leave campaign.
I fear it will become acceptable to shout racist abuse in public and blame immigrants for the pressure on the NHS and other vital services, even though they work in and support these areas.
I know not everyone who voted for Brexit is a racist, but I believe every racist voted for Brexit.
This complex issue should never have gone to a Referendum in the first place and it was as much about voting against the establishment as it was the EU, even if both are connected.
Hopefully those who voted in favour of an exit and criticised Remain supporters for scaremongering now realise that the constitutional crisis and the inevitable economic downturn that will follow are really happening and this isn’t just a bad dream.
Brexit: Nus Ghani – MP for Wealden
Last week, a majority of the people of the United Kingdom decided that our country is ready to march forward into the world free of the bureaucracy, unaccountability and inefficiency of the European Union.
Now can we begin to take back control, with our horizons broadened to the whole world and with the decisions that affect our lives grounded in legitimacy.
However, those who now have the responsibility of acting on the wishes of the people must do so with two things in mind.
We must make sure to take the entire population on this journey in a calm and measured way, united in confidence and hope for the future. And we, the Conservative Party, also have a duty to remember we have a wider agenda of responsibilities to be getting on with in Government. That is exactly what we will do.
But having expressed my hope that he would remain in office regardless of the result, I am deeply saddened by the Prime Minister’s decision to announce his intention to step down.
The respect he has shown for the people’s will by holding this Referendum, and by responding to the result in such a dignified way, shows him to be a true public servant.
His call for a wider range of candidates led me to enter politics, he has transformed my party and our country for the better and I will be forever proud and grateful to have served under his leadership.
