A TORY MP is giving Scots the right to have their say on Theresa May’s Brexit deal – but only in Berwickshire and the Borders.
John Lamont has posted a notice to constituents urging them to complete a survey to give their views on the Withdrawal Agreement.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon warns Brexit will put Scotland at a 'disadvantage' to Northern Ireland
The move was mocked by Willie Rennie who said Lamont was conducting “a pilot People’s Vote” in the Borders and called on the Conservatives to back the option for voters in all parts of the UK.
“John Lamont thinks it’s worth taking the temperature of public opinion on the deal. In essence he’s conducting a pilot People’s Vote in the Borders.
“But this isn’t an isolated constituency issue. Brexit will affect every person and business in the UK, so why shouldn’t all of them get a say on whether the deal is good enough?” said the Scottish LibDem leader.
“It’s completely irresponsible for this to be pushed through without the people getting a say. Liberal Democrats demand a People’s Vote.”
In a posting on his website, the Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk told people in his constituency, which voted by 58% to remain in the European Union, he had not decided how he would vote when the deal comes to the Commons later this month.
“I will not be rushed or forced into reaching a position. I will not be bounced into making a decision for short term party political reasons,” he told his constituents.
“My initial reaction is that having a deal on the table to scrutinise is in itself a huge achievement. Regardless of your view of the merits of the deal, it is welcome to have clarity for businesses and in areas like EU citizens’ rights. It is a credit to the Prime Minister that she has achieved this despite so much resistance from the EU.
“However, I do have a number of initial concerns, in particular surrounding the provisions, or lack of them, on rights to fish in UK territorial waters and around the Northern Ireland backstop arrangement. As a Unionist, I will find it very hard to support anything which attacks the integrity of the United Kingdom.
“Over the coming days, I will be looking closely at how this agreement will affect businesses and residents in the Borders before coming to a view about whether I can support it. I have already received many emails about it, but would encourage people to get in touch with my office or complete the short survey below to let me know your views. If you have not already done so, please let me know what you think of the Withdrawal Agreement.”
The PM is facing a defeat in the Commons when the deal is voted on by MPs on December 11 with reports suggesting up to 100 Tory backbenchers could rebel. May has refused to back a second EU vote.
The Scottish Tories said: “This is a ridiculous conclusion for Willie Rennie to reach.”
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