Opportunity amid the Brexit mess

THOSE in Westminster who see the Tories’ internal divisions, the deadlocked talks with Brussels and a tight Commons majority as being the biggest Brexit obstacles were given a gentle tap on the shoulder yesterday.

Nicola Sturgeon was in town, in Downing Street actually, to remind Theresa May that the Scottish Parliament still have a say on getting the EU Withdrawal Bill through.

It’s a sign that No10 accept the reality of the Scottish and Welsh governments’ involvement on Brexit that Sturgeon was invited to this rare audience with the Prime Minister.

But despite the apparent thaw, Sturgeon played hardball, as usual – and rightly too.

The Brexit Bill in its current form is unacceptable to the Scottish Government.

Many of the 111 powers returning from Brussels should be sent straight north. And there are many in the UK Government who pretty much agree they should be devolved, so making a straw man out of further devolution may prove to be a lost opportunity.

Scotland’s say could and should be decisive and influential on the shape Brexit takes.

Sturgeon could be setting the terms for what post-Brexit Britain will look like, putting the economy and jobs at the forefront.

The Tories are in a complete Brexit mess, people need a sense of direction.

Sturgeon should put herself at the forefront of making Brexit work and giving voters across the UK some sort of hope. That would leave her in a stronger position for whatever follows.