EUROPE Minister Alasdair Allan has dismissed “fanciful” suggestions of a “sunlit” relationship with the EU after Brexit.
Allan was appearing before the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster as part of its immigration inquiry when Tory MP Ross Thomson, who represents Aberdeen South, suggested Westminster plans to secure the “free-est possible trade” after quitting the bloc would negate Holyrood’s calls for Scotland-specific rules on migration.
READ MORE: MSPs’ call to go it alone to keep Erasmus in Scotland after Brexit
The move is in response to fears that pursuing a Tory pledge to slash net migration will see Scotland’s population plummet, exacerbating skills gaps and harming the economy.
Scottish Government predictions suggest meeting the target would cut up to £10 billion a year from the country’s GDP by 2040.
Responding to Thomson, Allan said: “I don’t think even the most charitable observer could say that the UK is presently headed for anything like a successful trading relationship with our European partners.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Tories must respect devolution in Brexit Bill
“I don’t think anyone could say that we are currently headed for a situation that doesn’t contain within it risks of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, risks of tariffs, risks – more than risks – the certainty of incalculable damage to the bilateral relationship which we have with our European partners and I think to characterise where we are headed as the bright, sunlit uplands of a new relationship with Europe is a bit fanciful.”
The committee heard that Theresa May presided over seven immigration bills and 45,000 changes to immigration rules while she was serving as Home Secretary.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel