Scaremongering in EU referendum won't be accepted in Scotland

Scottish voters will not accept a 'scaremongering' campaign from either side of the EU referendum debate, External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop has warned.

Fiona Hyslop has warned that Scots will not accept a campaign of fear Picture: steven scott taylor / J P License

Ms Hyslop pledged that a positive campaign to remain in the EU would be run in Scotland, claiming her approach would contrast with the No campaign during the Scottish referendum.

Speaking at Holyrood, Ms Hyslop also expressed frustration that 16 and 17-year-olds, who are eligible to vote in the Scottish election would be denied the chance to enter the ballot box in the EU referendum.

The External Affairs Secretary said it was “not acceptable” that 16 and 17-year-olds would not be able to vote in June.

Her views were made known when she was asked by her SNP colleague Christina McKelvie if the In campaign should “learn lessons” from the 2014 independence vote, rather than “lapsing into scaremongering and fear”?

Ms Hyslop answered: “In facing the European referendum, people want to see a positive vision and to hear the arguments. We can make the arguments. Indeed, we have a mature electorate in Scotland that is very politically informed, and it will not accept scaremongering from either side in the referendum campaign. In Scotland, we can conduct a positive argument that is detailed and addresses the issues but which also inspires people about the type of country that we want to be, which can contribute to a positive social Europe.”

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