The Tory leadership contest is in full swing with 5 of the official leadership hustings negotiated by both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt. Both Hunt and Johnson have pledged to protect the union. However, one of Mr Johnson’s most fervent backer’s, MP for Bath and North East Somerset Jacob Rees-Mog,g has stated that Boris Johnson is the man to do this most effectively. Mr Rees-Mogg has stated in his Telegraph article:
“Devolution is a crucial evolution of how power is exercised but it does not undermine or replace the unity of a single country that not only has so much shared history but current common interests. Economically this will be especially relevant for trade, agriculture and fisheries. It will show that Brexit is a land of hope and opportunity for the Union, which will be strengthened by it.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP
Many have suggested that because Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union, with only 38 per cent of Scots voting for Brexit, that significant harm will be done to the union when the UK does eventually exit the EU. However, Mr Rees-Mogg does not believe that this will be the case:
“Interestingly, support for independence has grown with the increased power of the European Union and for logical reasons, it is reasonable to suppose that it will decline as the European Union’s power dissipates. The European Union was corroding the Union and dissolving the ties of history. Brexit changes this and reinvigorates the need for the United Kingdom.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg is making the case that Brexit will in fact be good for the Union as it will give Scotland more of a say in UK matters that were previously dictated on by Brussels.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has also given practical examples of how Brexit would positively affect Scotland in particular:
“As fishing and agriculture come back from Brussels this relationship will be further enhanced. The Scottish waters are the richest in the United Kingdom but have been pillaged as a so called ‘common resource’ of the European Union. Their return, protected by the Royal Navy, ought to be an economic boost that replaces years of damage. Likewise, it is hard to think of any system that could be worse for farmers’ interests than the Common Agricultural Policy, a domestic approach will help the whole of the United Kingdom.”
Boris Johnson MP
Much was made in Mrs May’s ‘withdrawal agreement’ that deep in the text was a commitment to remain subject to regulations very similar to the EU’s Common Fisheries policy.
Finally, Mr Rees- Mogg who is tipped by many for a prominent Cabinet position in a Boris Johnson government has a refreshingly optimistic outlook for a Brexit Britain:
“The contributions of Boris and Brexit will revitalise the Union in a way not seen in recent decades. The Government will make its concerns central to its approach and coming from the top that will manifest itself throughout the governmental system. One democratic country in charge of its own affairs, under its own self-control, will face the world economically and diplomatically with renewed confidence.”
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
