Brexit working group’s meeting cancelled due to EU withdrawal chaos

Support for People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal

A Brexit working group set up in Dundee cancelled its last meeting because the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has become so chaotic that any discussion would have been meaningless.

SNP councillor Will Dawson, who chairs the cross-party working group on Brexit, told colleagues the talks in January were scrapped because of the fog of uncertainty around leaving the EU.

The group last met on January 11 and had been scheduled to meet again two weeks later before the session was called off.

Referencing the television series Blackadder, Mr Dawson said: “At least Baldrick had a plan.

“We don’t know what we should be discussing or who we should be lobbying.”

Mr Dawson was speaking after Ferry Liberal Democrat councillor Craig Duncan lodged a motion calling on the council to formally support a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal.

Mr Duncan said: “There was a vote and nothing much changes but now we’ve got a month left to Brexit.

“We’re almost there but we don’t know where we’re going.

“It’s a matter of sadness that after two years one of the most advanced countries in the world can’t explain what it wants.

“No member of this council supports Brexit and that is something worth noting.”

His Liberal Democrat colleague Fraser Macpherson said: “When people went to the polls in 2016 they had no idea on the outcome.

“We’ve got a prime minister and a country that still doesn’t know.

“It is only right that people in this country decide if they want to withdraw or if, on balance, they think staying in the EU is the best option.”

All members of the policy and resources committee backed Mr Duncan except the three Conservative councillors.

Ferry councillor Phillip Scott said that while all three Tories believed remaining in the EU was the best option, the result of the 2016 referendum should be respected.

He said: “We’re Remainers, not

Leavers.

“I think people who voted to Leave made a mistake but we can’t have a referendum every single time.

“The fact is all parties are split on Brexit and the best way forward is to support the prime minister’s deal.”

Council chief executive David Martin will now write to Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay asking for another vote.

Picture: Getty. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, who will be asked for another vote.