We can’t rely on cowardly Scottish Tories.. it’s time for Labour to save Britain from a Brexit catastrophe

THE UK Government kept their analysis on the cost of Brexit on jobs and growth secret.

Now, we all know why. It is devastating.

There is no good news at all under any circumstances for Scotland and the UK leaving the European Union.

It is now clear that the UK is being led to an epic act of national self-harm over Brexit and the Tory Government appear to want to do nothing about it.

Their own figures, which were leaked to the media yesterday, show Brexit will negatively impact economic growth in Scotland by between 2.5 per cent and nine per cent, depending on the final Brexit deal.

Economic growth is a technical exercise but what that outcome means is fewer jobs, lower wages, a lack of opportunities for young people, a squeeze on spending for services like schools and hospitals and the country falling behind on the world stage.

And it’s not just about the economic figures but the businesses and sectors that create the jobs and wealth.

The estimated impact of Brexit on Scotland’s industrial sectors is what drives the eye-watering downturns.

The sectors that are hit the hardest are those that form the backbone of Scottish industry.

The leaked document shows financial services (Edinburgh MPs have finally been allowed to see the Government’s Brexit impact analysis. Labour’s Ian Murray has seen the figures and says they should shock Scotland’s

politicians, his own party included, into action and Glasgow), chemicals revived by foreign investment. MPs were sent to Westminster (Aberdeen and Grangemouth), There is no corner of Scottish after the election in June with the and food and drink (including or British economic life that does solemn promise from Ruth whisky) being hamstrung not face disruption, bleeding into Davidson that they would be a by Brexit. mayhem, as a consequence of powerful voice for Scotland.

That’s not to even mention the the Government’s strategy on Well, they have been nothing potential impact on the workers, leaving the EU. but lobby fodder for the Prime consumers, environmental and It is so blindingly obvious that Minister. safety rights we all enjoy through the least worst option is staying They are willing to put on their the EU. in the Single Market and blinkers, support a beleaguered

For more than 40 years the Customs Union. PM and inflict this doomsday country’s industrial policy has, At the very least, whether scenario on the very country that in effect, been membership of you believe in them or not, they promised to protect. the EU; 485 multinationals have they should be kept on the negotiating It is clear they and Davidson their global or regional headquarters table. have zero influence on the Tory in the UK and core parts But how do we stop this Government. The only voices of manufacturing have been madness? The new Scottish Tory that seem to be making any impact are those of the extreme Thatcherites – Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson.

The new Scottish Tory MPs have the power to stop this nonsense but are merely doing as they are told by Downing Street at the expense of Scottish jobs and the economy. What cowards.

Not that the Scottish Tories have ever cared about the consequences of their actions on Scotland.

And that is where the Labour opposition must change our policy and stand up for saving the country from this self-harm.

It is no longer acceptable to try to sit on the fence and be all things to all people. The Labour Party must get our act together and show some leadership on this issue.

The figures are stark, the consequences are real and generations of Scots will be impacted by the decisions that are made today. We have to commit to the Single Market and Customs Union.

And before the SNP start the howls of “we need to be independent”, let us remind them that they have absolutely no credibility in arguing that the EU Single Market is good for Scotland while wanting to remove Scotland from the much more important UK Single Market.

Let the Tories and SNP continue to put their own party interests first – it’s time that the Labour Party put the country first.