SNP could derail May’s Brexit Bill
Dispute with SNP could put process in jeopardy
SENIOR figures in the SNP have threatened to derail Brexit in a row which could provoke a constitutional crisis.
The Prime Minister made Brexit the centrepiece of a slimmed down Queen’s Speech yesterday, with plans for eight major pieces of legislation designed to take back control from Brussels.
But the SNP immediately began plotting moves to put the process in jeopardy by voting against key new laws at Holyrood. That means Theresa May is facing a ‘legislative war’ on three fronts – in Holyrood, the Commons and the Lords.
The UK Government confirmed yesterday that the ‘Repeal Bill’ – which will formally transfer powers back from the EU to the UK – will require the consent of MSPs at the Scottish parliament before MPs can
have their say. Brexit Secretary Michael Russell said the SNP will refuse to give consent if any powers in devolved areas, such as fishing and farming, go from Brussels to Westminster.
However, documents accompanying yesterday’s Queen’s Speech make it clear the UK Government will set common ‘frameworks’ in these areas for the whole of the UK. It means Britain faces the prospect of a new constitutional row if Holyrood refuses to give its consent.
Although the votes of MSPs could be overruled by the UK Government, that could play into the hands of the SNP, which would claim the decision was evidence that Scotland’s voice was being ignored. Yesterday’s developing row came as:
Mrs May was forced to rip up the Tory manifesto, ditching pledges to bring back grammar schools, scrap the winter fuel allowance, end free school dinners for infants and repeal the ban on foxhunting.
The Prime Minister’s deputy Damian Green admitted the Tories may fail to seal a pact with the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Mrs May without a majority.
Donald Trump’s controversial state visit to the UK appeared to have been shelved after the Queen made no mention of it.
Mrs May prepared for bruising Brexit talks in Brussels today where she will set
‘More decisions devolved to Scotland’
out a ‘generous’ offer to protect the rights of 3.2million EU citizens living in the UK.
Government sources warned plans for a new runway at Heathrow could be defeated now the Tories have lost their majority.
The Prime Minister apologised to residents of Grenfell Tower for ‘a failure of the state – local and national – to help people when they needed it most’.
Jeremy Corbyn claimed Labour was now ‘not merely an opposition but a government in waiting.’
Yesterday’s Queen’s Speech included a Repeal Bill which will ‘allow for a smooth and orderly transition as the UK leaves the EU’.
Accompanying documents said the Bill will ‘replicate the common UK frameworks created by EU law in UK law’, and would only ‘maintain’ the scope of decision-making powers of the devolved administrations.
But Mr Russell last night said the SNP would oppose any Bill which does not give Holyrood more power.
He said: ‘The Scottish Government has been consistently clear that repatriated EU competences must return to the Scottish parliament in areas where it is wholly or partly responsible, such as agriculture, fisheries, environmental policy and justice.
‘There can be absolutely no question of the UK Government attempting to reserve powers in devolved areas and the Scottish Government would not recommend the Scottish parliament consents to such proposals. Where it is sensible or desirable to introduce a common UK framework to replace that provided by EU law, this must be achieved through agreement and negotiation.
‘It is deeply concerning that the UK Government seems to intend that repatriated powers in devolved areas like agriculture should go by default to Westminster, with no clear recognition of the need for the consent of the Scottish parliament under the Sewel Convention for such changes.’
Documents published yesterday by the UK Government confirmed that there would be ‘intensive discussion and consultation with the devolved administrations on where lasting common frameworks are needed’.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said it is ‘absolutely clear’ that MSPs will be asked to vote on a ‘legislative consent motion’ before the Repeal Bill is voted on in the Commons.
And the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We would hope that everyone would get behind the will of the British people.’
However, Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster spokesman, said: ‘This is the great power grab in action. The important point is that fisheries and agriculture are devolved. We will not sit back and see this land grab from Westminster. Powers over fisheries and agriculture must remain with the Scottish parliament.’
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘As the SNP well knows, no decisions currently taken by devolved administrations will be removed and Brexit will also ensure that more decisions are devolved to Scotland.
‘Let’s also be clear that if it ever persuaded Scots to back independence, Mike Russell’s first act would be to hand these powers back to Brussels.
‘Brexit offers significant opportunities for key Scottish industries such as our fishing sector.’
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘Brexit will automatically remove the UK from the Common Fisheries Policy framework, so legislation to ensure that the UK is solely responsible for both access to and management of our waters is very welcome indeed.’