Brown accused of using trade trip to ‘talk up independence’
Economy Secretary under fire for touting self-rule to Germany
KEITH Brown has been accused of using a trade mission to Germany “to talk up Scotland separating from the rest of the UK”.
The Economy Secretary is visiting Hamburg and Berlin this week to meet business leaders with substantial investments in Scotland, particularly in the energy, hospitality and engineering sectors, including representatives from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce.
But Mr Brown has also affirmed that he will use the trip to promote the Scottish Government’s “compromise” solution of keeping Scotland in the European single market after the rest of the UK leaves.
The Conservatives say Scotland’s trade with Germany “is dwarfed” by its trade with the rest of the UK, and insist Mr Brown’s time would be better spent helping the UK Government get a good deal from Brexit.
Speaking ahead of his trip to Germany, Mr Brown said: “Clearly, Brexit remains a source of great uncertainty for businesses in Scotland and in Germany alike, and I will reaffirm direct to businesses in Hamburg and Berlin that Scotland remains open for business and the Scottish Government believes that, short of EU membership, full membership of the single market is the best outcome not just for Scotland but for the whole of the UK.”
He added: “The Scottish Government is determined to protect Scotland’s national interests.
“The Scottish Parliament voted by a clear majority for Scotland’s place in the single market to be protected and agreed that alternative approaches within the UK should be sought that would enable Scotland to retain our place within the single market. This is a significant compromise compared to EU membership, for which the people of Scotland voted.”
About 30,000 Germans live in Scotland, including nearly 3,000 students, with 150 German-owned enterprises operating at 600 Scottish sites employing 18,000 people with a turnover in excess of £4 billion. Scotland’s exports to Germany were worth £1.7bn in 2015, accounting for more than six per cent of all Scotland’s international exports.
Mr Brown said: “We want to develop this further by supporting more companies to export to German markets, and safeguarding the investments that have already been made – and are planned to be made – in Scotland.”
The UK Government has said it is still considering the Scottish Government’s differentiated solution, but in a report released last week the Scottish Conservatives warned it would “fracture the UK domestic market” and “inevitably” lead to border controls within the British Isles. On Sunday, Ruth Davidson insisted the SNP’s proposal remains “under review” at Westminster and said her own section of the party is pursuing “a different course” by being openly critical.
Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Dean Lockhart said: “Once again we see the SNP going around Europe trying to talk up Scotland separating from the rest of the UK.
“Instead of conducting these trips, Keith Brown would be much better served by trying to work with the UK Government to get the best possible deal from Brexit.
“And, while our trade with Germany is important, it is dwarfed by the amount of trade we carry out with the rest of the United Kingdom, which is by far our most important market.”
‘‘ Clearly, Brexit remains a source of great uncertainty for businesses in Scotland and in Germany alike