AS MANY readers of this column will know, I campaigned long and hard for a Remain vote in last week’s EU referendum – and I am devastated by the result, which I fear will negatively impact many generations to come.

The initial economic signs are not good, perhaps even worse than we feared, with downgradings and the pound and markets plummeting - and the apparent lack of government leadership in ensuring proper contingency planning was in place, is making the situation worse.

I do however respect the result to leave the EU, voted for in a democratic election by a majority of people (albeit a slim majority), and I would encourage readers to do the same - however deeply, deeply disappointed you or I may personally feel. The way forward is as yet far from clear.

I am extremely proud that a significant majority of people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan took a different view and voted to remain in the EU.

But I do have fears (like many) for our divided country and what this decision might say about us - beyond views on a mere institution.

This referendum, and the 2014 Scottish referendum which I also campaigned hard in, have for me exposed in raw fashion some of the very worst at the ugly fringes that I have seen in over 20 years of political campaigning.

And there is a danger that this is now spilling over into our communities, with reports of racist abuse of people perceived to be ‘foreign’ increasing hugely since the vote. Sadly there have been reports in Cardiff, including the councillor for Butetown being told to ‘go back where you came from’.

As I told the prime minister in the Commons on Monday, if you indulge and stoke fear, you generate hate. And there is too much hatred being stirred up on both the hard left and right of our country at the moment.

I nevertheless have faith that the vast majority of people in these islands are decent, caring and had good reasons for making their decision and voting in whichever way they did.

I sincerely hope there is continued room and respect for difference in this new political world, and that we can all hope, love our neighbour, and focus on those things that we have ?#?moreincommon on than divide us.