The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
MPS urged to back party’s Brexit devolution deal
Shadow Scottish secretary Lesley Laird has urged her party’s MPS to “speak with one voice” and back Labour’s bid to broker a Brexit devolution deal.
The new Scottish Labour deputy leader wants MPS representing Scotland to back Labour’s amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill as it faces crunch Commons votes.
The Scottish Parliament has voted against granting a legislative consent motion for the Bill amid a long-running row between the Scottish and UK Governments that the legislation represents a Westminster “power grab” against Holyrood and will undermine devolution.
Labour’s amendments would cut the proposed post-transition period “sunset clause” from five to three years. The sunset clause refers to how long UK government legislation can last on matters coming back from the EU after the transition period on areas which fall within the devolved remit of the Scottish Parliament.
Labour also propose consent from the Scottish Parliament must be sought unless the UK Government has to legislate in an area which involves an international obligation.
This party said the approach is consistent with the 1998 Scotland Act and so respects Scotland’s devolution settlement.
The amendment has been tabled by the UK party’s front bench, including leader Jeremy Corbyn, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Laird. She said: “Scotland’s MPS should speak with one voice and back Labour’s bid to protect the devolution settlement.”