EU referendum: No need for Brexit debate to be rude, says Shrewsbury MP

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski, who thinks Britain should leave the EU, says everyone's views should be respected.

It comes after broadcaster Jon Snow criticised both sides of the campaign for bad-tempered abuse and negativity.

The Channel 4 newscaster said he had hoped the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 would have provided a template for how the upcoming vote would be handled, but believes that has not proved to be the case.

Mr Kawczynski said: "This is an emotive issue and there are very strong feelings on both sides.

"It is extremely important to have a passionate, in-depth and robust exchange of views as long as we don't get personal.

"There is no need for personalities to come into it. We should respect each other's views while we convey our own passionate feelings to the electorate. The general election campaign is personal as well. It's something people have got to look out for."

Writing in the Radio Times, Snow said: "In my reporting life I cannot remember a worse-tempered or more abusive, more boring UK campaign than that which is under way right now.

"Some of us were perhaps foolish enough to think that the referendum we witnessed in Scotland in 2014 would provide a template for dealing with a second one on membership of the EU.

"But the reporting interest this time round has been focused on abuse and intemperate challenging of facts by both sides. That is in itself dauntingly boring."

Snow hit out at the focus on name-calling and dismissed the "grandiose claims of unprovable facts", writing that the most interesting parts of the debate have come when ordinary people have voiced their opinions, providing intelligent and reasoned contributions.

MPs warn against attempting to remove PM regardless of EU vote

David Cameron's main rival in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest has attacked fellow pro-Brexit MPs for suggesting the Prime Minister should stand down after the EU referendum.

David Davis said the calls for a new Tory leader were an "unnecessary and unhelpful distraction" while Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said it would be "self indulgent" and "politically high risk" to attempt to remove the Prime Minister.

Three of the party's MPs – Nadine Dorries, Andrew Bridgen and Sir Bill Cash, who lives at Upton Cressett Hall, near Bridgnorth – have indicated they could be willing to back a no confidence vote in the PM after the June 23 poll. But Mr Davis warned Leave campaigners against engaging in "short-term skirmishes" and insisted Britain and the Tory Party would want a period of stability after the "bruising" referendum debate.

He said: "This referendum is about the country, not the Conservative Party. It is vital the British people make their decision on the best facts available and on what they think is in the long term interests of the country, not on short term skirmishing about what may or may not happen after the referendum is over.

"In the light of that, these calls are an unnecessary and unhelpful distraction."

The Prime Minister would be likely to face a leadership challenge if Britain voted to leave the EU but Brexit campaigners angry at the tone of the campaign have also suggested a close Remain vote could also start a contest.

It would take 50 Tory MPs to trigger a no confidence vote by writing to the party's backbench 1922 committee.

Mr Pritchard, in a series of tweets, warned against any attempt to challenge the Prime Minister. He said: "Appears 'minority' of Brexiteers want to oust PM whatever result of EU Ref. Apparently, if they lose, they want new leader to offer new Ref! "Any Tory MP tempted to sign letter needs to consider: 1 views of country; 2 views of assoctns; 3 an early election; 4 fairness; 5 stability.

"I've had my differences with PM but it would be self indulgent and politically high risk to try to remove the PM. An early election triggered."