On Friday, Theresa May’s damaging Brexit deal was resoundingly rejected for the third time. Despite all the bullying, bribing, and blackmailing, the majority of MPs stood by the wishes and interests of our constituents – and voted against the deal.
The Tory Prime Minister has tried every trick in the book to force her deal through – from her £1.14 billion taxpayer-funded Brexit bung to the DUP, to promising her own MPs that she would resign and hold another Tory leadership contest if they voted for it.
But MPs across the parties know that May’s deal is a bad deal. Even the minority that voted for it had to hold their nose. All the analysis shows it would be a disaster for Scotland – dragging us out of the EU against our will, ripping up our rights as EU citizens, terminating our membership of the single market, and inflict lasting harm to jobs, living standards, public services and the economy.
Scotland would be left poorer, and the equivalent of £1600 per person per year worse off by 2030, if the deal goes through. So it is right that MPs have rejected it – but people across Scotland and the UK are fed up with Brexit, fed up with the chaos under this shambolic Tory government, and want to see a clear way forward out of this crisis.
Tomorrow MPs will vote on finding a way forward. The SNP will make the case that Parliament must revoke Article 50, and put a stop to the Brexit process, or hold a second EU referendum, with the option to remain. People must get a say over their future.
As is now clear beyond doubt, there is no such thing as a good Brexit. Retaining our EU membership, as Scotland voted overwhelmingly for, is by far the best deal of all – and the only way to protect jobs and living standards. There is a real opportunity now to stop Brexit altogether and prevent decades of damage. That must be the priority.
The SNP will also continue our talks across the parties. In the event that Brexit does go ahead, we want to prevent the worst forms from devastating Scotland’s economy. Protecting our membership of the single market and customs union, and retaining the vital benefits of freedom of movement, is crucial to Scotland’s success and prosperity.
Parliament must continue to build consensus, and be given the space and time to agree a better way forward. Theresa May must not be allowed to rush Parliament into a bad deal when we know we have the ability to pause Brexit, or stop it altogether. The Tory leader must accept that her deal is dead, and support Parliament – instead of acting as a roadblock to progress. If she cannot move on from her rejected deal then she should go.
Scotland’s wishes have been completely ignored throughout the Brexit process, and Westminster has consistently acted against our interests. Any pretence that Scotland is treated as an equal partner in the UK is long gone. While I have limited confidence in Westminster to act in Scotland’s interests, the SNP will do everything we can to reach out, build consensus, and find a way out of this crisis.
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