Democratic deficit
Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley “I am bitterly disappointed that, against her will, Scotland has been forced out of the European Union, despite a remain majority in all 32 Scottish local authorities.
“Not only does this result highlight the massive democratic deficit inflicted upon Scotland by a Conservative Government we didn’t vote for, in a referendum that was not our choosing, we now face the prospect of an unhinged Conservative ideology being unleashed upon the people of Scotland, without the protection offered by European Union membership.
“I call upon the Government to ensure, without question, that the hard-fought rights and social protections that have been reinforced by European Union legislation, continue without political posturing.
“This includes, but is not limited to, the rights won within the workplace – the working time directive; minimum standards on holiday pay; increased maternity and paternity leave.
“Furthermore, rights for women were reinforced by European legislation and I fully expect these to be adhered to – anything else would be regression, pure and simple.
“These includes rights against unequal pay, harassment in the workplace and rights during pregnancy and maternity leave.”
“Unquestionably, due to this chasm between the political will of the Scottish people and the result of the EU referendum this inevitably calls into question Scotland’s constitutional future with the rest of the United Kingdom. There has been a material change in the circumstances that prevailed in the aftermath of the independence referendum.
“What must follow now is a period of consultation in which the SNP will assess the most progressive course of action, concurrent with the will of the Scottish people.”