Two-year extension to Brexit must happen, says Blackford

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has urged other opposition parties to back a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period due to the coronavirus emergency.

In a letter to party leaders, Mr Blackford said the postbrexit transition needed to go beyond its scheduled end date of 31 December – something the UK Government strongly opposes.

Mr Blackford said: “The ongoing emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus is, and must remain, the sole focus of our collective efforts, and it is right that all other political agendas are paused as we deal with the priority of saving lives and protecting people’s incomes.

“In that context, I believe now is the right moment to unite as opposition parties in Westminster in seeking a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period.

“That strong, united opposition stance would also send a powerful message to our European friends and partners, who we know are favourable to the logic and sense of this request.” The SNP Westminster Leader pointed to figures from the World Trade Organisation and Office for Budget Responsibility, which suggest the UK economy could shrink by 35 per cent, with two million people losing their jobs as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Blackford said: “The UK Government is recklessly gambling with our economic future by threatening to impose a devastating no-deal Brexit or a baddeal Brexit in the middle of the biggest health and economic crisis of our time.”