May ‘will refuse to back down on SNP’s Brexit Bill demands’
‘Precious Union’ vow before Sturgeon summit today
THERESA May has vowed to press ahead with the UK’s Brexit legislation and promised an ‘unprecedented democratic dividend’ for Scotland.
Speaking ahead of crunch talks with Nicola Sturgeon, the Prime Minister pledged to protect and preserve the ‘precious Union’ during the UK’s departure from the EU.
But Mrs May has signalled she will give no further ground to the Scottish Government over amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
She will meet the First Minister today in Downing Street in an
‘Democratic dividend’
attempt to reach agreement over amendments to the Bill.
However, Miss Sturgeon has said an agreement will not be made – and that her Government will not support the Bill as it stands.
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones will also attend the meeting, aimed at resolving issues between the devolved governments and Westminster. The Bill, which will transpose EU law into UK law after Brexit, has been branded a ‘power grab’ by both Scotland and Wales.
The Prime Minister said the UK Government had moved considerably from its original position – and there would be no more movement on her side. She added: ‘At this important meeting with the devolved administrations, I will be making clear my commitment to a deal that brings our country together, protects the security and prosperity of all our communities and business sectors, and reinforces our Union of nations.
‘We will discuss the EU negotiations and EU Withdrawal Bill and how the UK Government has tabled an amendment that will ensure the vast majority of powers returning from the EU that cross over with devolved competencies will transfer directly to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.’
The Prime Minister went on: ‘I am determined to secure a settlement that delivers an unprecedented democratic dividend for the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while protecting and preserving the precious Union that is at the heart of our past, present and future success.’
However, Miss Sturgeon has made clear that she is not expecting to reach a deal which would allow the two devolved administrations to grant formal consent to the Bill. While a lack of agreebeen ment from Edinburgh and Cardiff would not prevent the legislation from passing, forcing it through without their consent could spark a UK constitutional crisis.
The meeting comes after MSPs put forward more than 200 amendments to the Scottish Government’s Continuity Bill which has rushed through parliament as emergency legislation. Officials were forced to sit late into last night to scrutinise it.
The proposed legislation is in an attempt to counter the UK’s EU Withdrawal Bill if no agreement is reached with the Westminster Government.
Yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘It is important that the UK Government understands the very different position of the Scottish Government and our desire to retain our place in the single market – which is around eight times bigger than the UK market alone – and the customs union.
‘We are not expecting an agreement to be reached on the Withdrawal Bill today as there are no new proposals from the UK Government on the table.’
‘Past, present and future success’