Nicola: I won’t give up over EU
NICOLA Sturgeon has said ensuring Scotland’s vote in the EU referendum is ‘respected’ will be one of her top priorities in 2017.
The SNP leader put Brexit at the top of her political agenda as she looked ahead to the next 12 months in her New Year message.
She also said freedom of movement is one of the ‘benefits of EU membership’ which must be retained.
Her comments come just over a week after she demanded Scotland must retain membership of the European single market after Brexit or there will be another referendum on independence.
Miss Sturgeon said: ‘We are working to safeguard the opportunities so many people in Scotland now take for granted. We are determined Scotland’s vote to remain in the European Union will be respected and that people in Scotland retain as many of the benefits of EU membership as possible, including the freedom to work, travel and study in other member states.
‘New Year is inevitably a time when we look to the future. I’m determined to ensure we give our children and young people – Scotland’s future – the support and care they need to live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. I’m confident that, in 2017, we will make further progress towards that goal.’
But opposition politicians said Scotland must move on from two divisive referendums, on independence and EU membership.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson described 2016 as a time when ‘the world felt that it shifted a little on its axis’, adding that she hoped 2017 would bring ‘more stability and moderation’.
She said: ‘Here in Scotland, that means we need to focus not on creating further division and instability but on improving services and supporting business to get our economy moving again.’
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘In 2017 we can lay the foundations of Scotland’s future economic success.
‘Being part of the UK is even more important to Scotland than staying in the EU and Labour will campaign with everything we have to protect that relationship across our isles.
‘Remaining in the UK is good for jobs, it’s good for our economy and it’s good for our public services.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ‘We need to put the politics of division behind us and focus on making Scotland a better country to live in.’