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Sturgeon: Hard Brexit plans push Scots toward independence

Scotland’s first minister said the country should not be taken out of the single market against its will.

By JAMES RANDERSON 1/17/17, 5:38 PM CET Updated 1/17/17, 10:33 PM CET

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to take Britain out of the European single market has made Scottish independence “more likely,” Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Tuesday.

Responding to May’s much-anticipated speech on her priorities for the Brexit negotiations, Sturgeon argued that exiting the single market was not in Scotland’s interest and would provoke a reaction north of the border.

“The UK government cannot be allowed to take us out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a different future,” she said in a statement. “With her comments today, the Prime Minister has only succeeded in making that choice more likely.”

The statement did not include the words “independence” or “second referendum” but Sturgeon has said she is “not bluffing” over the possibility of calling a second vote on breaking from the United Kingdom. The message from the pro-independence Scottish National Party leader was: take Scotland’s interests into account — or else.

In a paper published before Christmas, the Scottish government argued a compromise arrangement whereby, if the U.K. leaves the single market, Scotland could remain a member as part of the European Economic Area (the so-called Norway option.) In the Brexit referendum, Scotland voted to remain in the EU.

Sturgeon’s external affairs minister Fiona Hyslop said Monday that the offer of a trade deal from President-elect Donald Trump did nothing to change her government’s view that continued single market membership was in Scotland’s best interests.

Authors:

James Randerson  

Sturgeon: Hard Brexit plans push Scots toward independence
Scotland’s first minister said the country should not be taken out of the single market against its will.

By JAMES RANDERSON 1/17/17, 5:38 PM CET Updated 1/17/17, 10:33 PM CET

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to take Britain out of the European single market has made Scottish independence “more likely,” Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Tuesday.

Responding to May’s much-anticipated speech on her priorities for the Brexit negotiations, Sturgeon argued that exiting the single market was not in Scotland’s interest and would provoke a reaction north of the border.

“The UK government cannot be allowed to take us out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a different future,” she said in a statement. “With her comments today, the Prime Minister has only succeeded in making that choice more likely.”

The statement did not include the words “independence” or “second referendum” but Sturgeon has said she is “not bluffing” over the possibility of calling a second vote on breaking from the United Kingdom. The message from the pro-independence Scottish National Party leader was: take Scotland’s interests into account — or else.

In a paper published before Christmas, the Scottish government argued a compromise arrangement whereby, if the U.K. leaves the single market, Scotland could remain a member as part of the European Economic Area (the so-called Norway option.) In the Brexit referendum, Scotland voted to remain in the EU.

Sturgeon’s external affairs minister Fiona Hyslop said Monday that the offer of a trade deal from President-elect Donald Trump did nothing to change her government’s view that continued single market membership was in Scotland’s best interests.

Authors:

James Randerson  

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