SO, the UK votes to leave the European Union. It will be interesting to see how this historic decision is managed by the government over the next few weeks and months and what exactly will be the political and economic implications throughout our country.

I voted Remain, for business, trading and economic reasons. I also voted Remain because I have always thought that it is better to work with and within Europe rather than to work against our neighbours and am sure that this has been successful – on the whole – since we joined in 1973.

However, I feel that there is a greater issue that we face that was there before the debate on Europe started and will be with us for some time to come. And that is, that no matter whether we are in Europe or not, and for as long as we have a Tory government, the only people who will lose out are the same people who always lose out: the unemployed, the sick, the disabled, those in low-skilled work on zero-hour contracts and in poor working conditions, young families who cannot afford to buy a house, let alone in the area in which they were brought up, those who have been denied the opportunity of a worthwhile career due to lack of educational opportunities, and those living in poor and deprived areas.

These issues are of far more importance than whether we are in the EU or not. Does anyone seriously think that because we have left Europe the economic lifestyles of those I have just mentioned are going to improve? The Tories now have an opportunity to get rid of the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal our own Human Rights Act, cut workers’ rights to the bone, and demonise anyone without political or economic status or influence, including of course current and potential immigrants.

All of these consequences will simply allow huge corporations to do what they have always done, which is to buy and sell companies at a whim, make people redundant, slash pension funds, increase their dividends to shareholders, and allow rich directors to move from one company to another reaping their distasteful monetary rewards.

Meanwhile people are being encouraged to blame the very folk they should be in alignment with. People on low wages blaming immigrants who are also on low wages. People who can barely manage in work blaming those on benefits.

Let’s make sure the blame lies where it should lie. Not in Europe but right on our own doorstep. The Tories are helping to destroy this country because of their political outlook and their social attitudes.

And as for democracy? Part of the argument was that the EU is undemocratic and unelected. Look at the turnout in European elections, and consider the fact that we have people in this country who have Lord or Lady in front of their name as members of an unelected legislative chamber!

The spirit of hate and intolerance that currently exists in this country, engendered by the media, by the political and financial establishment and by right-wing Tories – and which will surely now be emphasized by the EU result – is something that we should be truly ashamed of.

Dr William Stallard, West Street, Trowbridge