PM’s decision ‘outrageous, but not entirely surprising’, says Fife MP amid dire warnings

The SNP’s Europe spokesperson has called the prime minister’s decision to suspend parliament “outrageous”.

North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins told The Courier Tayside and Fife will be particularly hard hit by no-deal Brexit, which he worries Boris Johnson is attempting to push through by delaying the Westminster opening.

Mr Gethins said: “This is an outrageous, but not entirely surprising, act by a dangerous prime minister.

“We are in this mess because Boris Johnson never had a plan for Brexit and has no idea what he is doing.

“A cliff edge Brexit will hit each and every one of us, damaging the economy, undermining public services and depriving future generations of opportunities.

“Tayside and Fife will be especially badly hit given the importance of the EU to education and research, the food and drink and other key industries. People deserve better than this.

“Over these coming days those of us in the opposition – SNP, Liberal Democrat, Labour, Greens and Plaid Cymru – must continue to work together and do all we can to stop Boris Johnson in his tracks.

“There is no mandate for a damaging no-deal Brexit and we owe it to our constituents to prevent him from dodging democracy and any kind of scrutiny.”

However, Ochil and South Perthshire Conservative MP Luke Graham said: “If conference break goes ahead as normal, then there will only be three days less for the debates to take place, which won’t have an impact.

“Parliament has already spent 432 hours in the Commons and 53 hours in Westminster hall debating Brexit.

“We will have a Queen’s Speech, and there will be time to discuss a new withdrawal agreement.

“Opposition politicians need to grow up and say whether they oppose this, or just want a second referendum.

“I support leaving with a deal and all of this uncertainty needs to be brought to an end. The people want this to come to a resolution.”

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We owe it to our constituents to prevent him from dodging democracy. STEPHEN GETHINS, PICTURED RIGHT