Perthshire MPs face off in Brexit debate
More than 100 people attempted to get to the heart of the issues over Brexit at a debate in Perth last Thursday.
And fielding the questions on the impact here and across Scotland were Perthshire’s two MPs.
The debate, arranged by Perth4Europe saw Pete Wishart MP and Luke Graham MP go head to head at Perth Museum and Art Gallery’s lecture theatre.
The match up, which remained good natured, saw Scotland’s longest serving MP face off against one of its newest ones.
The debate was chaired by Rachel Weiss of Perth’s Rowan Consultancy.
Perth and North Perthshire and SNP representative Pete Wishart MP is an outspoken advocate of remaining in the EU, and made this clear in his opening statement.
He said: “I’ll put this as delicately as I can, Brexit is frankly self-harm, and immigration is the cold beating heart of the matter.
“We are heading for the hardest of hard Brexits, and it will leave everyone significantly worse off.
“The negotiations are being prosecuted with overwhelming cluelessness, and with Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davis, it is like leaving the clowns in charge of the circus.”
Ochil and South Perthshire’s Luke Graham followed up by explaining that despite voting Remain, he was working hard to make sure Scotland gets the best deal.
He said: “I was gutted that we lost. I was also disappointed that there was so much low quality debate, and to see many people not playing their part.
“Brexit is the biggest issue we are facing. Since being elected, I’ve been the fifth most active MP asking questions of the government, and I intend on continuing that.”
Rights of EU nationals, food and drinks protection and relationships with other countries were hot on the agenda.
While both MPs had differing views on Brexit, they were united by their desire to see more public engagement in Brexit negotiating.
Luke said: “I’m planning on having community meetings every quarter. It’s essential to do so, and it’s our responsibility as MPs to be honest and frank.”
Pete said: “It was an amazing
Rachel Weiss with Pete Wishart MP (left) and Luke Graham MP (right) debate with a fantastic turnout. The and we’re really pleased with how level of energy reflected the seismic the debate went - and it stayed fairly importance of the subject, which is good natured.” really encouraging.” Perth4Europe’s next event is a talk
Susannah Rae, Convenor of titled “Exit from Brexit” by Liberal Perth4Europe, was pleased to see so Democrat leader Vince Cable, on many people get involved. Saturday, September 9, and tickets
She said: “It was a great turnout are £3.