SNP ‘must end political games and back Brexit’
DAVID Mundell launched a scathing attack on Nicola Sturgeon yesterday as he demanded she quit her ‘political game-playing’ and start working with the UK to secure a good Brexit deal for Scotland.
The Scottish Secretary also accused the First Minister of using the nationwide vote to leave the EU to conjure up ‘constitutional grievances’.
In his speech to the Conservative Party conference, Mr Mundell hit out at the Scottish Government over its policies – including the decision to make Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK.
He also warned ministers against further burdening hard-working families by increasing income tax.
Mr Mundell said: ‘Nicola Stur- geon subjected Scotland to a year of political gameplaying as she sought to turn the EU referendum into an excuse for a second independence poll.
‘I’m glad the election result finally forced her to put her constitutional campaign on hold. But for how long?’
He praised Prime Minister Theresa May’s hardline answer to Miss Sturgeon’s bid for second vote on breaking up Britain – when she told her that ‘now is not the time’ – saying this intervention had helped secure an additional 12 MPs north of the Border.
Mr Mundell also used his speech to emphasise that both the Scottish and UK Governments must ‘work together to make Scotland Brexit-ready’.
He said: ‘We have put forward a common sense approach to leaving the EU. We know businesses and individuals need certainty and stability.
‘Now is not the time for conjuring constitutional grievances. Now is the time for working together, constructively, as the people of Scotland expect from their two governments.’
The Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP claimed he was confident of securing a resolution with the SNP over the European Union Withdrawal Bill.
So far, Miss Sturgeon has insisted that she cannot give formal approval to the legislation as it stands – and has accused UK ministers of attempting a ‘power grab’.
But while the SNP continues to demand changes, Mr Mundell believes they are not far away from securing a resolution.
He said: ‘I have been round this block on a number of occasions.
‘I’ve always been confident that we could reach a resolution because, ultimately,
By Rachel Watson Deputy Scottish Political Editor ‘Constitutional grievances’
the Scottish Government and even the SNP realise that it is in the benefit of Scotland to have a good settlement of these issues and to put Scotland on the front foot.
‘There is a track record of the Scottish Government and the SNP setting out a position that they would not agree certain things and, ultimately, by working together, by the power of argument, we have managed to reach agreement.’
Mr Mundell went on to attack the SNP’s economic record, saying: ‘We want to build a Scotland that works for everyone.
‘We want a Scotland that is a fairer place to live and work. To achieve that, the reality is that Scotland’s two Governments must work together.
‘Making Scotland the most highly taxed part of the UK – and hinting of widening the gap even further – cannot be the right approach.’
Last night, Nationalist MP Kirsty Blackman hit back at Mr Mundell, saying: ‘David Mundell is in no position to lecture anyone. Scotland’s future is, and will always be, in the hands of the people of Scotland – it will not be dictated by an arrogant Tory party.
‘Mr Mundell’s speech follows an equally delusional one from Ruth Davidson.’