The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Give UK a fresh say on exiting EU, MEP suggests
SNP demands seat in negotiating team amid demands for a ‘softer’ EU exit
A referendum on EU membership could be held once the terms of Brexit are known, an SNP MEP has argued as Nicola Sturgeon demanded a place in the UK’s negotiating team.
The First Minister wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May amid reports she will tie her independence strategy closely to the UK’s exit from the EU.
The SNP leader will “rebrand” a second ballot as a vote on the finalised UK deal to quit Brussels, according to a tabloid newspaper.
In a series of tweets, Ms Sturgeon did not directly deny the story but said much of the speculation about her plans for another referendum was “nonsense”.
The UK Government is seemingly divided over how to approach negotiations to leave the EU, with talks due to start next week.
It has been reported that Chancellor Philip Hammond is pushing for a “softer” exit and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has argued for an “open Brexit”.
However, hard-line Brexiteers are warning against the Prime Minister “backsliding” on last year’s Leave vote.
In her letter to Mrs May, Ms Sturgeon urged remaining in the single market, which provides freedom of trade and people plus the customs union, which maintains standards across borders.
She wrote: “During the election you sought a mandate for your proposals to leave the European Single Market. That proposal failed to garner support.
“It is now clear that a new proposal is needed urgently to protect the economy and bring people together.”
Ms Sturgeon said a paper drawn up by her ministers last year, Scotland’s Place In Europe, was a “blueprint for this approach”.
However, one of her MEPs, Alyn Smith, wrote in a newspaper column: “If a vote on the terms of Brexit is good enough for the people of Scotland, it is good enough for the people of the UK too.”
Asked by The Courier what that meant for the option of a second independence referendum, Mr Smith said he still backed the idea but added: “I would bring the prospect of a second EU referendum a bit higher up the agenda.”
Opposition parties have urged the Scottish Government to ditch plans for another independence referendum, branding it a damaging threat to the economy.
They said voters had rejected the SNP’s proposals for another vote in last week’s general election.
The party lost 21 of the 56 seats they won in 2015 but still emerged with a majority north of the border.
Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said the First Minister had “lost the plot”.
He added: “The First Minister only wants to listen to those in her own party on this issue and she’s turning a tin ear to everyone outside the SNP who just wants a break from her political games.”
An SNP spokesman said: “Scotland and the other devolved administrations must have a seat at the negotiations to leave the EU – and it’s time for the Tories to ditch their plans for a damaging, jobs-destroying extreme Brexit.”
Meanwhile, Ian Blackford is the SNP’s new Westminster leader.
The member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber will succeed Angus Robertson, who lost his Moray seat in the general election. Mr Blackford defeated rivals Joanna Cherry and Drew Hendry after another contender, Tommy Sheppard, withdrew from the race.
He will be supported by Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, who defeated Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie to be elected as the new deputy group leader.
Mr Blackford said: “The hung parliament means SNP MPs will have more influence than ever before and with crucial Brexit negotiations on the horizon, it has never been more important to make Scotland’s voice heard.”