POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Councillors back giving public final say on Brexit
Call for a People’s Vote on Brexit will be backed by South Lanarkshire Council after a motion from its sole Liberal Democrat won approval.
It was proposed by Councillor Robert Brown despite an amendment from Tory Group leader, Councillor Alex Allison, to reject it.
He hit out at the fact it was even allowed to be put before the executive committee as urgent business, branding it “sheer indulgence” on the part of council leader, the SNP’S John Ross.
It comes after the Scottish Parliament backed calls for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal.
An amendment was also put forward by Labour Group leader, East Kilbride Central North councillor Joe Fagan, for the motion to “call for a fresh General Election and the option of a People’s Vote.”
However, this lost out by eight votes to 12 in favour of Councillor Brown’s motion, which includes an option to remain in the European Union, and also “instructs the chief executive to write to South Lanarkshire’s MPS, MSPS and MEPS informing them of the council’s view and asking them to support such a People’s Vote.”
Councillor Brown (Rutherglen South) said: “Of course, the decision on Brexit is not in the hands of this council but it is most certainly the case that Brexit has major implications for the council and for South Lanarkshire citizens and I believe it is appropriate that we take this opportunity to express our view to our elected Parliamentary representatives.
“South Lanarkshire is therefore in the position of being a leader in this area but also of adding vital momentum to the People’s Vote campaign at a time when it appears to be the only way out of the mess in which the incompetence of the government in the negotiations and the surreal expectations of the hard Brexiters have landed us in.”
However, Councillor Allison (Clydesdale East) said: “I am very surprised and I have to say disappointed that this is accepted as competent, urgent business – this is pure indulgence what we have got coming before us today.
“There was a vote, there was a choice and the UK voted to leave. We had a People’s Vote in 2016.
“This matter is not urgent relevance to the council.”
But Councillor Fagan said: “Councillor Brown is correct in saying the political system in this country has been tested to its limits in the months since the Brexit vote – and even since we were made aware of this item of urgent business, the situation has evolved and will no doubt continue to do so.
“We are being told we have the choice of my deal or no deal by the Prime Minister, but everyone, including the First Minister, sees this is a false choice.
“It’s not a choice between her deal or no deal – there are other options we can explore.
“And while I agree with the sentiment of Councillor Brown’s motion and the costs involved with Brexit I would propose a slight amendment to reflect the Labour position...to keep a People’s Vote on the table but call for a fresh General Election.”
SNP councillor Katie Louden, who represents Cambuslang East, said she “fully supported the motion” saying that Brexit would affect the council in every way, as well as the people of South Lanarkshire. or of
Of course, the decision on Brexit is not in the hands of this council but it is most certainly thecasethatbrexit has major implicationsforthe council and for South Lanarkshire citizens... There was a vote, there was a choice and the UK voted to leave. We had a People’s Vote in 2016...