Tag: Brexit

Dear Boris … First Minister writes to new PM

First Minister highlights risk of Brexit.

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to the new Prime Minister to set out the potential impact of Brexit and urge a change in course to protect Scotland’s people and economy.

Full text of the letter:

Congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister.

I will be shortly writing to you, along with the First Minister of Wales, to set out jointly our position on a range of urgent matters that require consideration by a meeting of the Heads of Government. Such a meeting should be convened as soon as possible.

However, I am writing to you today to draw your attention to work carried out by the Scottish Government which details the likely specific impact of Brexit on Scotland. Given the gravity of the potential damage to jobs and livelihoods, this material should be at the top of your in-tray.

You will be aware that people in Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union. Subsequent Scottish Government analysis shows that a no-deal outcome could cost 100,000 Scottish jobs. Even a free trade agreement could see a fall in Scottish national income of around £1,600 per person compared with continuing EU membership. I urge you to study this analysis closely so that you understand the implications for Scotland of the policy you are pursuing on Brexit and why it is therefore imperative that you change course immediately to avoid causing lasting harm to the people of Scotland.

However, given your public comments about leaving the EU on October 31 with or without a deal, “come what may” and “do or die” , it is now – more than ever – essential that in Scotland we have an alternative option.

In line with the democratic mandate given to us in 2016, the Scottish Government will continue to make preparations to give people in Scotland the choice of becoming an independent country.

The right of the people of Scotland to determine their own future is a basic democratic principle that must be respected.

Similarly any decision of the Scottish Parliament on whether to give people that choice must be respected. The Parliament will consider the necessary framework legislation for a referendum after the summer recess, and I look forward to taking this matter forward with you once MSPs have had the opportunity to debate the issue further.

NICOLA STURGEON

 

Ben Macpherson: Culture will strengthen global links

The unifying power of culture will be used to emphasise Scotland’s global connections in the face of Brexit. Europe Minister Ben Macpherson will tell an international arts awards ceremony in Spain tomorrow that Scotland will continue to develop strong cultural links with the European Union. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: Culture will strengthen global links

Brexit: Unheard Voices – consultation report published

The results of a consultation carried out across Scotland on the impact of Brexit has been published in a new report. Brexit: Unheard Voices brings together the views of 13 groups on preparing for the UK leaving the EU. Continue reading Brexit: Unheard Voices – consultation report published

Funding to support vulnerable EU citizens in Scotland

  • Up to £9 million has been made available for voluntary and community sector organisations to support vulnerable EU citizens
  • More than 600,000 people have now applied to the EU Settlement Scheme 

Continue reading Funding to support vulnerable EU citizens in Scotland

Pro-EU campaign group rallies against Farage’s No Deal ‘fraud’

Members and supporters of leading pro-EU campaign group the European
Movement in Scotland made their voices heard as Brexit Party leader, Nigel Farage, held a rally at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange last night. The group told him that his ‘No Deal Brexit’ rhetoric is not welcome here, as well as standing up for EU citizens, in a peaceful but good-natured manner. Continue reading Pro-EU campaign group rallies against Farage’s No Deal ‘fraud’

MSP welcomes extension of free tuition for EU students in Edinburgh

Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald has said that “Scotland remains open and welcoming” following an announcement from the SNP Government that free tuition for EU students will be extended beyond 2021 despite ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Continue reading MSP welcomes extension of free tuition for EU students in Edinburgh

Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today outlined the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the debate on Scotland’s future in light of Brexit, and the action to be taken to protect the option for an independence referendum to be held within the current term of the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

Scots face uncertainty over return to homeland

UK Government immigration proposals threaten family reunification

Scots who currently live in another EU country, but who hope to come back to live in Scotland one day, will find it much harder to bring family members with them when they return, if and when the UK leaves the EU.

That is the prospect facing thousands of Scots as a consequence of the UK Government’s proposals for UK citizens in the EU post Brexit, Scottish Government Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Macpherson said today.

Mr Macpherson said that UK citizens living in the EU deserved guarantees from the UK Government about their rights to return home with family members if and when the UK leaves the EU.

“The ‘Stay in Scotland’ campaign launched by the First Minister earlier this month made clear how much the Scottish Government values the contributions made by EU citizens living and working in Scotland,” he said.

“Of course the negative consequences of the UK Government’s planned exit from the EU also extend to the rights of UK citizens living in other member states, and I am particularly concerned about the implications for those who hope to return to Scotland with their families in the future.

“Under UK Government proposals, due to come into effect in 2022, someone with a non-UK national spouse and children will no longer be allowed to return to Scotland with his or her family unless strict financial thresholds are met. This is unfair.

“I do not accept that someone’s ability to return to Scotland should be judged through arbitrary financial requirements, that do not take into account individual and often compassionate circumstances. The UK Government must seriously reconsider their proposals.

“Scots who want to return to Scotland from elsewhere in the EU should be able to bring their families with them, no matter how much they earn.”

Halloween D-Day: another six months to resolve Brexit impasse

Prime Minister Theresa May’s statement on the Brexit process extention:

“I have just met with Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, where I agreed an extension to the Brexit process to the end of October at the latest.

I continue to believe we need to leave the EU, with a deal, as soon as possible.

And vitally, the EU have agreed that the extension can be terminated when the Withdrawal Agreement has been ratified — which was my key request of my fellow leaders.

For example, this means that, if we are able to pass a deal in the first three weeks of May, we will not have to take part in European Elections and will officially leave the EU on Saturday, 1st June.

During the course of the extension, the European Council is clear that the UK will continue to hold full membership rights, as well as its obligations.

As I said in the room tonight, there is only a single tier of EU membership, with no conditionality attached beyond existing treaty obligations.

Let me conclude by saying this.

I know that there is huge frustration from many people that I had to request this extension. The UK should have left the EU by now and I sincerely regret the fact that I have not yet been able to persuade Parliament to approve a deal which would allow the UK to leave in a smooth and orderly way.

But the choices we now face are stark and the timetable is clear.

So we must now press on at pace with our efforts to reach a consensus on a deal that is in the national interest.

Tomorrow I will be making a statement to the House of Commons.

Further talks will also take place between the Government and the Opposition to seek a way forward.

I do not pretend the next few weeks will be easy or that there is a simple way to break the deadlock in Parliament.

But we have a duty as politicians to find a way to fulfil the democratic decision of the Referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward.

Nothing is more pressing or more vital.”

Confirmation_of_UK_Government_Agreement_to_Article_50_Extension.April

Council_Decision

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today written to the Prime Minister, following the extension of Article 50 until the end of October.  The First Minister said it is essential now that this time is used constructively and not wasted.

Ms Sturgeon has called for ongoing talks over EU exit to include the devolved administrations, and for any deal agreed by the UK Parliament to be put to a second referendum.

Full text of the letter:

Dear Theresa

I am writing to you today following the agreement reached at the European Council last night to extend the Article 50 period to the end of October 2019, with a review in June.

It is welcome that the European Union has acted in this way to give the UK more time. However, it is essential now that this time is used constructively and not wasted.

People in Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU but have been ignored by the UK Government throughout the Brexit process. That must now change.

Notwithstanding the clear remain result in Scotland, the Scottish Government has sought to engage meaningfully on the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU and has called consistently for genuine efforts to reach consensus across party lines and with the devolved administrations. However, it is still not clear that even at this late stage and following the repeated defeat of your proposals that you are willing to drop your red lines which have restricted what can be achieved in the future relationship.

We now have the gift of more time from the EU, and that must be used constructively to re-set the UK Government approach. Your ongoing talks with the Leader of the Opposition should now broaden to include other parties, the devolved administrations, business and civic society, and open up the range of options on the table in an effort to reach a genuine consensus. If such talks are to stand any chance of success you must be prepared to recognise in particular that it is essential for Scotland, at the very least, to stay inside the Single Market and continue to benefit from freedom of movement. 

Further, and more fundamentally, the Scottish Government considers that any deal agreed by the UK Parliament should be put to another referendum, with the alternative proposition on the ballot paper being to remain in the EU. The extension to 31 October provides enough time to do this, and it is essential that no time is lost in making the necessary preparations.

I urge you to convene an urgent cross-party and cross-administration discussion to agree how to use the time we have been given.  

I am copying this letter to the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.