SNP told to ‘get serious’ over resolving Brexit Bill deadlock
UK MINISTERS are now ‘cautiously optimistic’ the deadlock over key Brexit legislation with the Scottish Government can be broken – although the SNP claims there is still a long way to go.
First Secretary of State Damian Green warned the Nationalists it was time to ‘get serious’ over resolving issues surrounding the EU Withdrawal Bill.
He and Scotland Secretary David Mundell met Deputy First Minister John Swinney and SNP Brexit Minister Mike Russell in London yesterday to discuss the party’s concerns and position.
The Nationalists have insisted the Scottish Government will not consent to the Bill in its existing form, deeming it a ‘power grab’ from the devolved administrations.
But UK officials have promised Scotland will benefit from new powers after Brexit – although some of those returning from the EU will first return to Westminster to allow for UK-wide frameworks to be devised. Scottish ministers say the powers should be returned to Holyrood before these frameworks are agreed.
After yesterday’s meeting, Mr Green said: ‘I am cautiously optimistic that we will be able to agree a way forward.’
The Scottish Government has made clear it cannot yet give its formal approval to the EU Withdrawal Bill – legislation that would transpose EU law into British law.
Scottish and Welsh ministers have jointly proposed a series of changes, saying that without the amendments they cannot recommend legislative consent.
And while the devolved administrations cannot block Brexit, it would be unprecedented for Westminster to force through legislation against the wishes of both Scotland and Wales.
After discussions in the Cabinet Office broke up, Mr Green said: ‘I said that it was time for the talks to get serious and today they have got serious.
‘We had a positive and constructive meeting and we are now starting to get into the nitty gritty of the detail of how we make sure Brexit works for all parts of the UK.’
He added: ‘We are in agreement that we do not want to damage the UK internal market.’
Mr Swinney described the talks as a ‘useful opportunity for an exchange of views between ourselves and the UK Government’ on Brexit.
But he remained adamant that the Scottish Government viewed the legislation as a ‘blatant power grab’.
The Deputy First Minister said: ‘The discussions were constructive but we remain absolutely clear that, as things stand, we will not recommend to the Scottish parliament that it gives its consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.’