Conservative leader candidate Jeremy Hunt has pledged an end to the “uncertainties” claiming he will deliver Brexit and is devoted to the union “with every fibre of my being”.
The contender for Number 10 visited Peterhead and Aberdeen yesterday and was asked by local fishermen about business insecurity.
Mr Hunt vowed that if he took on the role of prime minister he would deliver Brexit even if it meant accepting a no deal “with a heavy heart”, cut corporate tax to 12.5% and not allow another independence referendum.
He said: “A referendum is not what the people of Scotland want and I listen to the people of Scotland.
“What they’re saying is that they don’t want the divisiveness that sets friends against friends, family against family – they don’t want that.
“Just talking to the skipper of the ship I’ve just been round, he said he wants to be able to get on and grow his business and not be sucked into that bitter divisiveness.
“I’m the prime minister Nicola Sturgeon least wants for one simple reason: I believe in the union with every fibre of my being.”
Asked what comes first, Brexit or the union, in light of recent polls suggesting Tory part members would accept a referendum if it guaranteed Brexit, he replied: “The union every time”.
Mr Hunt was given a tour of the vessel Westro in Peterhead Harbour by skipper James West and was treated to a haddock supper and a can of Irn Bru which he called “quite pleasant”.
Mr West, 42, has been fishing since he was 15 and hopes one day to pass the business on to his son.
He says he has struggled recently due to the political uncertainty and the toll that has taken on business in the north-east, not least the fishing industry.
Mr West said: “I asked Jeremy why he would make a good prime minister and whether he could make the uncertainty go away.
“I’m not political, but I am fed up of the questions and the insecurity.
“With business you need confidence to push forward and with everything that’s going on it’s hard to do that.”
Mr West originally ordered the Westro three years ago and the ship had the same delivery date as that originally scheduled for Brexit.
He said: “When I bought the boat I was financially stretched and had everything on the line.
“Such uncertainty was really concerning then and still is now. We’ve long since decided we just need to focus on what we do and let them get on with it.
“I’m hopeful that whoever becomes prime minister can keep the fishing industry going, not just for my time and my two brothers who also have boats, but so that it is secure for my son, who is seven.
“I want him to take this on.”
After listening to Mr West’s concerns, Mr Hunt made his pledge to delivery Brexit and not allow an independence referendum clear.
He said: “We’re in the biggest constitutional crisis since I can remember in terms of Brexit and what the country wants is our solution.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. It will be challenging to deliver.
“But I’m also clear that if the only way to leave the EU is with a no deal then with a heavy heart that’s what I would do.
“People have to make a judgement on who EU leaders are more likely to engage with, negotiate with and trust as they want to resolve this too and I think they will listen to what a new prime minister has to say.
“I’m a business person who can help create jobs, wealth and prosperity in Scotland as well as someone passionately committed to the union of our four nations.”