It’s the right time for people to choose

I am very much aware that there will be different views in regard to the First Minister’s announcement asking for a second referendum and I fully respect those with a different perspective.

However, I should make it clear from the outset that I also personally fully support Nicola Sturgeon’s position because of the fundamental principles of democracy and sovereignty of the people of Scotland.

Scotland stands at a hugely important crossroads but the position we find ourselves in isn’t one of our choosing – 62 per cent of people in Scotland voted to remain in the EU referendum last year but we now face being taken out against our will and against the promises that were made in 2014.

Since the referendum in June 2016, the Scottish Government has made extensive and genuine attempts at compromise with the UK government. I have made available this link to the ‘Scotland’s Place in Europe’ document sent by the Scottish Government to the UK Government setting out in full the details of the compromise that was on offer at www.gov.scot/ Resource/0051/00512073.pdf.

This compromise would have reluctantly meant Scotland leaving the EU but staying in the Single Market. But the UK Government has unfortunately refused to listen even to this concession. It is now clear all reasonable attempts to protect Scotland’s interests have fallen on deaf ears.

I believe strongly that a hard Brexit will be a disaster for our country and will have massive implications for Scotland – for our economy, jobs, opportunities, public spending, and living standards.

In common with most people across Scotland, I wish that we weren’t in this situation. The Prime Minister has set her course towards hard Brexit without listening to Scotland’s voice at all and in doing so she has entirely ignored the democratic wish of the people of Scotland.

If Scotland can be ignored on an issue as important as our membership of the EU and the Single Market, then it is clear that the sovereign voice of the people of Scotland and our interests can be ignored at any time and on any issue. Therefore, I believe that it is not just our membership of the EU at stake, but the kind of country we want to be.

That’s why I believe that Nicola Sturgeon, after very careful consideration, has rightly set out a plan for the way ahead – to allow the people of Scotland, as best she can, to be in control of events - not just at the mercy of them.

I believe it is important that Scotland has the right to choose our own future at a time when the terms of Brexit are clear, but before it is too late to decide on our own path and change course.

That is why the Scottish Government is taking the reasonable steps necessary to make sure that Scotland will have a choice – whether to follow the UK to a hard Brexit, or to become an independent country able to secure our relationship with Europe, build a stronger and more sustainable economy and create a fairer society.

That choice should not be taken by me as an MSP, the Scottish Government, or the SNP - it should be for the people of Scotland to choose the direction Scotland should take.

In conclusion let me say that I sincerely hope that debate about the future of our country can be dignified.

Yes of course there will be passionate debate but there is absolutely no reason why that cannot not be achieved while respecting the views of those who hold a different perspective.

All reasonable attempts to protect Scotland’s interests have fallen on deaf ears