Sturgeon in ‘embarrassing mess’ over EU
NICOLA Sturgeon’s stance on Brexit was yesterday described as an ‘embarrassing mess’ after it was revealed she previously warned against her latest plan to keep Scotland in the single market.
The First Minister earlier confirmed that she was looking at a Norway-style model which would allow the country to stay in the single market by joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA).
The disclosure came a day after Economy Secretary Keith Brown distanced himself from the scheme.
A report published by the Scottish Government in 2013, in the lead-up to the independence referendum, concluded that the Norway model was not a ‘desirable option’.
The study, the foreword of which was written by Miss Sturgeon, stated that the EEA ‘effectively extends the geographical reach’ of the single market to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, allowing them tariff-free trade.
However, the paper noted there were complex strings attached to such a deal.
It concluded that the model would bring little benefit as ‘Scotland’s citizens would lose all ability to influence the laws and regulations to which they would be subject’ because EEA members have little say on the single market’s rules.
The report contradicts Miss Sturgeon’s current view, as she yesterday confirmed she was considering the Norway model as an option for keeping Scotland in the single market.
She said: ‘Norway is in EFTA, EFTA countries apart from Switzerland are also in the single market through the European Economic Area. So, of course, these are models that we’re looking at.’
Last night, Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘Within hours of the First Minister seemingly contradicting her Economy Secretary over the attractiveness of EEA membership and confirming it is still an option for the SNP, we now learn that she signed off on an official Scottish Government paper ridiculing the prospect.
‘There is one reason only why the SNP ends up in this kind of embarrassing mess – and that is its overriding obsession with independence.’
Ulf Sverdrup, director of the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs, told Holyrood’s culture, tourism, Europe and external relations committee yesterday that Scotland would face challenges in seeking a separate deal to become part of a Norwaystyle model. He said: ‘To my understanding it creates some challenges for EFTA countries to integrate a country that’s not seen as a sovereign country. We have some experience with the Faroe Islands.
‘This is very interesting but at the same time it raises these issues, partly on sovereignty but also how this might affect the relationship with the UK in general as well.’
Mr Sverdrup said that if the UK supported the arrangement for Scotland, it ‘would probably help a lot’ on how it was received by EFTA countries.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and we are exploring all options to protect Scotland’s national interests.
‘We will set out proposals in the next few weeks that will keep Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves.’