HARD BREXIT. TOUGH TIMES
No deal means job losses and cuts
Nicola Sturgeon has warned “the harder the Brexit, the worse the outcome” for Scotland’s economy.
The First Minister spoke out ahead of the publication tomorrow of a Scottish Government report on the cost of leaving the EU.
It looks at the financial implications of each form of Brexit, from no deal to remaining in the single market and customs union.
Sturgeon said: “More than 18 months on from the Brexit vote, it beggars belief that the UK Government are not only still unable to say what kind of relationship they want with the EU but have also failed to produce any meaningful economic assessment of the different possibilities.
“Bluntly, the hard Brexiteers have had their chance and failed.
“They have completely failed to explain how their approach could even remotely come close to replacing the enormous lost trade and investment of leaving the single market.
“That means there is now a golden opportunity for those moderate voices who are making the case for Scotland and the UK to remain in the single market.”
She added: “The Scot t ish Government is absolutely clear that, if the UK is indeed leaving the EU, then it must stay within the single market and customs union to prevent needless job losses and cuts in living standards.
“There is zero credible evidence to suggest leaving the single market will bring any benefit to our economy. Indeed, as our analysis will show, the harder the Brexit, the worse will be the outcome.”
Meanwhile, Labour have been urged to join a cross- party bid to keep the UK in the single market and customs union after Brexit.
The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Greens have joined forces to back an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill when it returns to the Commons this week.
The move follows a Brexit summit by the leaders of the four parties, which Jeremy Corbyn refused to attend.
Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said: “Through the four leaders in the House of Commons, we are presenting a united front. We urge the leadership of a fifth opposition party, Labour, to join us so we can change course from the dangerous Brexit being pursued by the Conservatives.”
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “We are seeking a deal that works for the whole of the UK, that delivers on the result of the EU referendum.
“Rather than trying to undermine the result of a democratic referendum, we urge the Scottish Government to work with us to ensure, as we leave the EU, we protect the UK’s vital internal market.
“Scotland trades four times as much with the rest of the UK as it does with the EU, so it is vital we ensure that market continues unimpeded.”
Concerns over the way Brexit negotiations are going between the UK and EU have led to calls for a second referendum.
Sturgeon has said the case for a fresh vote may become “irresistible” in the event of a no deal scenario.
Even former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he is on the verge of backing a second referendum on EU membership – but only to end the “whinging and whining” of anti-Brexit campaigners.
A poll for our sister paper The Mirror showed 55 per cent would vote to remain in the EU and 45 per cent to leave in a second referendum. This would overturn the June 2016 referendum result which saw the UK vote to leave by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.
Scotland voted by 62- 38 per cent to remain in the EU.