THE Prime Minister has made it clear exactly what she thinks of Scotland by leaving the Commons before the SNP’s leader at Westminster spoke in Parliament.
Theresa May sent Ian Blackford the customary notification informing him that she would not be staying in the chamber to hear his response.
For viewers in #Scotland @theSNP WM group leader @IanBlackfordMP has just received the customary notification that the PM won’t be staying in the chamber to hear his response to her speech #BetterTogether #respectagenda #Brexit #indyref2
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) January 29, 2019
The House had already started to clear during Father of House Ken Clarke’s speech, which began just after Jeremy Corbyn finished his response to May.
The Prime Minister doesn’t even bother to stay in the Chamber to listen to @IanBlackfordMP. Support for staying in the EU is strong in Scotland yet @theresa_may thinks she can just ignore our needs and views. #BrexitBourach #PowerGrab #ScotRef
— Dr Philippa Whitford (@Dr_PhilippaW) January 29, 2019
Then, as the SNP’s leader at Westminster rose to speak, more MPs headed for the exits in their droves.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon tweets that Withdrawal Agreement bid 'doomed to failure'
A fellow SNP MP can be heard saying “She ran away!” to Blackford as he said: “Mr Speaker, I would like to impress upon the Prime Minister…”
The SNP’s Joanna Cherry can be seen waving and saying “cheerio” at Tories as they leave.
MPs are currently debating Theresa May's plan B in the House of Commons ahead of a debate and vote on seven amendments. They will then vote on May's plan B.
Cherry's tweet, in which she added several sarcastic hashtags then led to #BetterTogether trending in Glasgow.
#bettertogether is now trending in #Glasgowhttps://t.co/PZrTXcIPIg pic.twitter.com/7VDuAwvZzy
— Trendsmap Glasgow (@TrendsGlasgow) January 29, 2019
Blackford issued a rallying cry for independence in his speech, telling the Commons: "Scotland must no longer be left at the mercy of events, whatever happens, the SNP will not be dropping its policy of independence.
"Whatever this Tory Government tries to drag our nation through, Scotland will and must have the right to determine its own future. Mr Speaker, to choose to be an independent nation within the European Union.
"I can see members shaking their heads, like the Prime Minister they fear they would lose an independence referendum. The Scottish people are sick and tired of being told what the Prime Minister wants them to do.
"Scotland's needs are much more important than what the Prime Minister wants. Scotland needs the power to take its own decisions."
To follow our live coverage of the Brexit debate, click here.
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