Jack’s New Year call to make 2020 ‘about growth, not division’
THE next year must be about ‘optimism, growth and opportunity’ rather than more division and a constitutional ‘neverendum’, the Scottish Secretary has said.
In his New Year message, Alister Jack pledged to help Scotland move on from the divisions of the last decade, which was dominated by the referendums on separation and Brexit.
He vowed he will put the Union at the heart of everything the UK Government does.
But Nicola Sturgeon said in her turn of year message she will ‘ensure’ Scots get a vote on her bid to break up Britain in the next 12 months.
Mr Jack said: ‘Next year must be about optimism, growth and opportunity, not further division and “neverendum”.
‘We are stronger and more prosperous as a union of nations. Let’s put the rancour and division behind us and look forward to a better future together. I believe 2020 will be a year of growth and opportunity, as we work to boost the prosperity of every part of the UK. Let’s all raise a glass at midnight to a united, peaceful and prosperous Scotland.’
He said that leaving the European Union will mark ‘a whole new chapter in our country’s history’.
Mr Jack added: ‘We will honour the result of the 2016 referendum and deliver a Brexit that works for Scottish farmers, fishermen and businesses.
We will take back control of our waters. Unshackled from the hated Common Fisheries Policy, our fishing industry and our coastal communities will flourish like never before.
‘We will better support our farmers with a system that is better suited to their needs than the deeply unfair Common Agricultural Policy.
‘I will put the Union at the very heart of everything we do and work hard to make sure Scotland has a prosperous future.’
Miss Sturgeon used her message to highlight that Scotland will be leaving the
EU ‘against the wishes of most people in Scotland’.
She said: ‘The Scottish Government will do everything we can to mitigate the worst impacts of Brexit.
‘We will provide support and reassurance for the EU citizens who have done us the honour of choosing to make Scotland their home.
‘And we will work to ensure that people in Scotland have the chance to determine our own future – by deciding whether we wish to become an independent country.’
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said the new year provides an opportunity to move on from a ‘decade of division’.
He added: ‘The fallout from the referendum result has created huge tensions across the country.
‘I hope that once we have left Brussels those tensions will dissipate and we can come back together.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said Brexit and Donald Trump were among the challenges facing the UK.
Scottish Labour’s Richard Leonard pledged to fight for a society ‘where we are not putting borders and national boundaries up – but we are bringing them down’.
‘New chapter in our history’