The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Prospect of general election by Christmas backed by FM
Sturgeon ‘very happy’ for vote as she brands Boris Johnson’s Bill ‘bad’
Nicola Sturgeon has declared she would be “very happy” for a general election to be held before Christmas as she hit out at Boris Johnson over his Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
The first minister branded it “bad” legislation as she said it would be opposed by the devolved administrations in both Edinburgh and Cardiff.
For the first time in the history of devolution, the governments in Scotland and Wales could both refuse formal consent for legislation that affects their nations.
Ms Sturgeon spoke out after MPs backed the prime minister’s Brexit proposals on Tuesday night.
His planned timescale for approving the Bill within days was rejected, however, forcing him to put a pause on the legislation.
Mr Johnson must now wait to hear from the leaders of the 27 other member states of the European Union on whether they will approve another delay to the UK’s departure date.
With the PM having pledged to deliver Brexit “do or die” by October 31, he is to push for a general election if they sanction a Brexit extension.
Ms Sturgeon, speaking in London, said: “I want to see a general election. I would be very happy to see that general election before Christmas but the circumstances of that have to be such that it doesn’t open the risk of a no-deal Brexit.
“And I think all responsible opposition MPs who want to see an election have a duty to make sure that that is the case.”
Ms Sturgeon, who gave a joint press conference with her Welsh Labour counterpart Mark Drakeford, highlighted the opposition to the legislation from both Scotland and Wales.
Speaking about the Bill, the SNP leader said: “This is quite simply a bad deal and a bad Bill.”