Double Brexit vote for parliaments

THE Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales will vote simultaneously on a motion declaring opposition to Theresa May’s Brexit deal.

Both motions object to the deal to leave the European Union by the UK Government and declare that a no-deal Brexit would be “completely unacceptable”.

If passed, they would call for the UK Government to “take immediate steps to prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal” as well as an extension of Article 50.

Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell said: “This is an unprecedented event: the first time in 20 years of devolution that the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales have debated the same motion simultaneously.

“We are taking this historic step to send a strong message to the UK Government that it must stop pursuing such a disastrous course of action.

“The Prime Minister’s deal will cause major, lasting damage to jobs, living standards and public services such as the NHS, and should be voted down.”

A UK Government spokeswoman said: “An orderly Brexit is in the UK’s best interests and the best way to achieve that is for MPs of all parties to support the Prime Minister’s deal.

“The deal is a good one for Scotland, Wales and the whole of the UK – it delivers the result of the referendum, gives us a close future partnership with the EU, and guarantees citizens’ rights.”