UK nations discuss Brexit co-operation
Split among Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England may trigger crisis
THE LEADERS of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales met British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday to discuss what part the three nations will play in the Brexit process, a thorny issue that risks triggering a constitutional crisis.
May proposes setting up a new committee to give the three devolved governments, which have varying degrees of autonomy from London, a formal avenue to express views on how Britain’s future relationship with the EU should work.
“The country is facing a negotiation of tremendous importance and it is imperative that the devolved administrations play their part in making it work,” May said before the meeting.
At stake is the three-century union between England, where a majority voted to leave the EU, and Scotland, where a majority voted to stay.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday she was seeking “meaningful input” into the decision-making structure and wants each of the UK’s four assemblies to get a vote on the proposed negotiating package.
Sturgeon has said her government is preparing for all possibilities, including independence from the UK, after Britain leaves the EU.
In Northern Ireland, which also voted to keep EU membership, there are fears Brexit could undermine a 1998 peace deal and reinstate a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
Experts have warned of the risk of a constitutional crisis if May does not take into account the position of each of the UK’s four nations when conducting negotiations on the terms of Brexit.
“Imposing a Brexit settlement in the face of devolved opposition (while legally possible) would be a reckless strategy,” said the Institute for Government, an independent think-tank.
“Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland cannot be treated like any other lobby or interest group. Equally, the devolved governments will have to accept that Westminster will have the final say,” it said.
The new committee proposed by May would be chaired by Brexit minister David Davis and include representatives from the three devolved governments. May proposes it should meet by the end of next month and at least once more before Christmas.
Business Secretary Greg Clark was also presenting proposals for how the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish can help to shape a new national industrial strategy.
Sturgeon has said Scotland wants to keep as many of the advantages of membership of the EU’s single market as it can and is looking for a bespoke deal to do so.
The British government, however, has said it will negotiate a one-size-fits-all Brexit deal on behalf of the whole UK.
May’s spokeswoman said yesterday the UK needed a single nationwide position going into Brexit negotiations, and May expected the devolved governments not to undermine the overall Brexit talks by conducting their own negotiations.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said Wales, where a majority voted to leave the EU, wanted to play a full, positive and active part in the Brexit process and hoped the approach would be reciprocated by London. “If UK Gov can’t negotiate position with devolved nations little hope of negotiating a good Brexit deal with 27 countries,” he said on Twitter.
Sturgeon is already preparing legislation for another referendum on independence if May strikes a Brexit deal that takes the country out of the EU single market for goods and services.
She noted yesterday that her administration is preparing “detailed proposals” on how Scotland can secure a “continuing close relationship with Europe” after Brexit.
Akash Paun, a fellow at the Institute for Government said: “As with a dog walking on its hind legs, we should be impressed if the four governments manage to work together at all. But when it comes to Brexit, if the dog topples over after a few tentative steps, and consensus cannot be reached, the result could be a constitutional crisis.”– Reuters and Washington Post