MSPS have backed a motion saying Scotland's future is “best served” by being part of the EU.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson led a Scottish Parliament debate today, in which MSPs backed a motion that affirmed that "Scotland’s economic, social and political future is best served by being part of the EU".
The motion passed with 64 votes in favour and 49 against, with one abstention.
Robertson also invited Parliament to note the proposals in the Scottish Government paper, An independent Scotland in the EU, the seventh paper in the Building a New Scotland series.
It comes after poll analysis showed most Scots believe leaving the UK and joining the EU would be better for the country.
READ MORE: Brexit: Experts to debate how to keep Scotland's voice alive in Europe
Analysis by expert Alex Scholes – writing for Professor John Curtice’s blog What Scotland Thinks – showed almost every outcome was framed positively for Scotland being an independent country in the EU.
Scholes said the poll, conducted last summer, made it clear Brexit and EU membership would be a key issue at any future independence referendum for Scotland.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Robertson cited analysis by Cambridge Econometrics which has explored the economic impact of the UK leaving the customs union and single market compared to if the UK had stayed in the EU.
He said: “The Scottish Parliament repeatedly expressed its support for remaining in the EU and the single market, and yet the people of Scotland and their elected Parliament were ignored time and time again.
“Today’s debate is an opportunity for this Parliament to affirm that Scotland’s economic, social and political future is best served by being part of the EU.
“According to National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the UK economy is 2.5% smaller as a result of Brexit, equating to a cut of around £2.3 billion in public revenues for Scotland. Cambridge Econometrics estimates this damage will continue and reach 10% of gross value added (GVA) by 2035.
“After four years of limited economic growth, restricted trade, record food price inflation and diminished opportunities for young people, the evidence is clear that ‘Brexit isn’t working’, as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recently said.”
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