Brexit shows a weekend is a long time in politics
even survive are, at best, a starting point, and a cherrypicking starting point at that which is unlikely to meet EU requirements.
It is hard to believe that it has taken the Prime Minister two years to even put together a proposal – but these resignations definitely show a government out of control and distracted by in-fighting.
Just when it seemed the Tories’ hard Brexit couldn’t get any worse, they’ve decided to appoint one of the most hardright, toxic voices in their party as the lead negotiator with the EU.
The appointment of new Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab proves that the hard right wing of the Tory party is well and truly in the driving seat.
Raab has made a name for himself with a number of hard- line right-wing views in recent years – including suggesting that immigration is to blame for house prices going up, saying that people use foodbanks because of occasional “cashflow problems”, and being part of a Facebook group that called for an end to all council housing.
He also spoke strongly against women’s rights, saying “feminists are now amongst the most obnoxious bigots”.
Mr Raab has been urged to do what his predecessor failed to do – give evidence at Holyrood’s Europe Committee and allow Scotland’s Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise Tory Brexit plans.
Given the disrespect Westminster has shown to Holyrood, I would be genuinely surprised if he takes up that offer!
The question now for Theresa May is whether or not she will fall in line with her party’s extreme Brexiteers, or instead recognise the clear majority in the UK parliament, and the expressed will of the Scottish Parliament, for the urgent need to keep the UK in the single market and customs union, to protect the economy, jobs and living standards of families across the UK.
Scotland should be worried – the hard right is now well and truly running the show in the UK government and, as always with the Tories, it will be ordinary people across Scotland left to pay the price.
The Scottish Government will be working hard in the coming months to ensure that, with the looming threat of a nodeal Brexit, Scotland’s interests are paramount.