THE Scottish Green Party ramped up the case for independence as it responded to the Brexit proposals unveiled by the First Minister yesterday, calling on her to press ahead with plans for a second referendum.
It warned Nicola Sturgeon her suggestions to keep Scotland in the EU single market – but not a member of the bloc – were the “maximum limit of compromise” and said progress should be made to hold a new plebiscite on autonomy if they were dismissed by Theresa May.
Referring to the 62 per cent Remain vote north of the Border in June, the party said the First Minister’s blueprint did “not reflect what Scotland actually voted for”, claiming it would lead to around 40,000 lost jobs and a £1,000 drop in average wages.
“The reality is that just under two in three people in Scotland voted to stay in the European Union and the options presented today fall well short of that,” said Ross Greer, the Scottish Green’s external affairs spokesman.
“These plans are the maximum limit of compromise, so if the Westminster Government fails to accept them, it will signal clearly that Scotland’s interests and wishes are to be ignored completely. This would be an act of contempt that would likely end the UK’s fragile union.”
Underlining the need for a new independence referendum, he continued: “It is clear that the only way to guarantee our European future, defend workers’ rights, environmental protections and our freedom of movement is as an independent nation within the European Union.
“I urge the Scottish Government to proceed with legislation for an independence referendum – we can’t leave ourselves without that option if Theresa May’s Government acts as we expect.
“Scotland did not vote to leave the European Union and we should not be forced to choose the least worst of the options available.”
Meanwhile, the Tories, Labour and the Liberal Democrats all insisted plans for a second referendum on independence be shelved. Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, said: “If Nicola Sturgeon really wants to unite the country, she should take this opportunity to rule out another independence referendum.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “This whole report is one expensive exercise in Christmas window-dressing as the only option the First Minister really wants to succeed is Scottish independence. The First Minister has ruled out keeping the UK in the EU, which breaks her promise to consider all the options.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said a separate Scottish deal would create a trade barrier between Scotland and England.
She said: “Nicola Sturgeon talks about compromise but written in black and white in her own report is her true intention – she wants independence in Europe.”
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