Now the UK must make the best of our bright new future
THREE years ago we voted, as one United Kingdom, to leave the EU. Tonight, at 11pm, we will do just that. We will finally have honoured the result of the referendum and can look to the future.
I can’t deny we have travelled a long and sometimes difficult road to reach this point. But now we can leave with a real sense of optimism.
I have every confidence that Scotland, and the rest of the UK, will flourish outside of the European Union. We can, and will, take advantage of the exciting new opportunities that will open up to us.
That means realising the ‘sea of opportunity’ that beckons for Scotland’s fishermen. Our fishing industry and coastal communities can look forward to a bright future as we leave the despised Common Fisheries Policy.
The UK Government’s Fisheries Bill, which was published this week, sets out a framework for a successful and sustainable future for the industry, as we take our place as an independent coastal state. New powers to support fishing will also flow to Holyrood.
Our farmers and rural communities will also benefit as powers return to both Westminster and Holyrood. The Scottish Government can create a bespoke support system for our farmers, tailored to their needs, rather than making do with the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the Common Agricultural Policy.
We will strike lucrative trade deals right around the globe, opening up new markets and opportunities for Scotland’s world-class businesses.
In a week that’s seen an encouraging rise in Scotland’s exports, our distillers, food producers, engineers and many more can look forward to even greater success.
I’m confident we will build a better, stronger economy, creating opportunity and prosperity for everyone.
We will take back control of our borders, our laws and our money, allowing us to invest in the ambitious infrastructure projects the UK needs. But that’s not all. Today is a moment to come together. Honouring our democratic decision to leave the EU means we can put behind us the rancour and division of the past three years. We can move forward together, as one United Kingdom, to a bright future. And here in Scotland we can focus on strengthening our historic and vital Union.
The Scottish Government’s own figures showed this week that our sales to the rest of the UK are worth three times as much as our exports to all 27 EU countries combined. Sixty per cent of all our sales are to the rest of the UK.
As we leave the EU, moving forward together as one United Kingdom, we will ensure our own internal market continues to help our businesses, underpinning our economy and creating jobs.
Nicola Sturgeon’s plan to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK would put all that at risk.
It would damage and diminish Scotland and we must – and will – continue to reject her demands for a divisive, unwanted second referendum on separation.
We will hold the SNP to the promise made by Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond less than six years ago in their Independence White Paper – that our clear choice to be part of the UK was a once-in-a-generation decision.
Today marks the start of a new chapter in our nation’s history. I’m looking forward to everything we can and will achieve as we leave the EU and strengthen our own United Kingdom.