Prime Minister and SNP clash at PMQs over Scottish interests and UK Government failure to work with @scotgov
“GAME PLAYING” is how the UK Prime Minister described the Scottish Government and Scottish MPs desire for answers over her promise to included Scotland’s interesting in Brexit negotiations.
Theresa May made the comments at the weekly prime minister’s questions today (Wednesday 15 March) as she was quizzed by Scottish MP’s on the status of cooperation between the devolved governments.
The exchange took place a day after MPs voted to pass the final reading of the Brexit bill into law without the amendment guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals living in the UK.
“Last year she made a promise – when will the prime minister reach an agreement with devolved governments?” Angus Robertson MP
The SNP’s leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, said: “Last year she made a promise – when will the prime minister reach an agreement with devolved governments? If she continues to fail to cooperate with the Scottish Government the Scottish people will have their say.”
Theresa May responded using her tried and tested line referring to the historic bonds that connect the nations of the UK and framing supporters of independence as dividers.
She: “We have been one country for 300 years. We have a shared history, culture and set of achievements. We’ve gone out into the world and been successful together. This constitutional game playing must not be allowed to break bonds.”
This move from the PM follows a continued tactic of ignoring the argument that Scotland’s interests both economically and politically are not being realised and respected and start to emphasise only the UK as a collective.
“Does she really believe the UK can afford to be an independent country?” Callum McCaig MP
Callum McCaig, the SNP’s spokesperson at Westminister for energy, brought the house’s attention to the weak performance of the pound on markets and the UK’s £33bn trade deficit.
He asked cheekily: “Does she really believe the UK can afford to be an independent country?” To which the PM responded that “if he wants to talk numbers” unemployment is at a record low.
PMQs followed a session of the committee for exiting the EU where the UK Government responsible for leaving the EU, David Davis, said he had not made any assessment on the impact of the UK not getting any deal post-Brexit with the EU. This has caused consternation among the political opponents of the government, such as SNP MP Paul Monaghan, who have damned the revelation as “economic self-destruction.”
The UK Government had yesterday (14 March) gained Royal Assent, permission from the queen, to pushed forward with triggering Article 50 which would start the process to leave the EU. It is expected to come between next week and the end of this month.
Picture courtesy of Parliament TV
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