First minister gives update with concerns of long-term impact of EU exit
FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon has said there is a “real risk that the UK is facing a lost decade” owing to the growing uncertainty over Westminster’s response to the Brexit vote.
Sturgeon, giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s European & External Relations Committee, said that the “uncertainty and turmoil of Brexit” could “dominate” for years, with risk that “damage to our economy and other parts of society will be deep and severe”.
The evidence coincides with questions over the lack of negotiating position from the UK government almost three months after the UK voted narrowly in favour of Brexit.
Scotland voted in favour of remain – with every council area supporting continued membership of the European Union.
The result has thrown up unprecedented administrative, economic, and legal difficulties for the UK Government, which failed to prepare for a Brexit outcome before the referendum.
Sturgeon, with the consent of four of Scotland’s five major parties, launched a diplomatic offensive after the vote – visiting EU leaders in Brussels.
Yesterday [13 September] former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg admitted that the Brexit vote made a “compelling case” for Scottish independence.
Since June she has spoken to officials in Berlin, as well as the prime minister of Malta who will hold the presidency of the council of the EU in the new year.
Committee member Ross Greer asked what red-lines in discussions would lead to a clear cause for a second independence referendum.
Sturgeon replied that a hard Brexit – threatening a variety of economic and social pillars for Scotland – would lead to that eventuality.
UK prime minister Theresa May has promised a UK-wide approach to negotiations, but the contradiction between Scotland’s desire to remain within the EU will clash with Tory MPs and Ukip voters focused on reducing EU migration.
Yesterday [13 September] former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg admitted that the Brexit vote made a “compelling case” for Scottish independence.
With uncertainty over when Article 50 will be triggered by the UK Government and what deal the government will seek, discussions of a second referendum on independence have instead focused on a ‘national survey’ to judge public support for constitutional change.
Meanwhile in Brussels the president of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, reiterated that the price of leaving free movement with the EU is exiting the single market.
Picture courtesy of Scottish Parliament TV
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