Frontline services to suffer Brexit fallout as Scots councils back People’s Vote

Fears over rise in poverty as councils back new referendum Warning no deal would cause ‘real pain’ in communities

Scotland’s council Leaders have backed the call for a People’s Vote on Brexit warning a no deal scenario could prove damaging to local services and an increase in poverty.

Cosla president councillor Alison Evison urged politicians to “do the right thing” at the Commons vote on the Withdrawal Agreement next week, which Prime Minister Theresa May is battling to get approved.

Ms Evison said Cosla cam- paigned for Remain during the EU referendum and is “deeply worried” about the current situation, after a meeting of councils leaders in Edinburgh yesterday.

“A big hit on our economy will mean an increase in local poverty, fewer resources locally to plan and deliver our services, no structured programme to support our local economies and real threats to all aspects of our import and export trade,” she said.

“The bottom line is that we must not end up with a no-deal by default.

“A no-deal would cause real pain in communities right across Scotland so all politicians have to come forward and do the right thing - and that includes the UK Parliament on December 11.

“A People’s Vote is a practical way to get out of the constitutional crisis we are in.”

The second referendum has the support of the Scottish Government, with Nicola Sturgeon calling on Labour to get behind the campaign. But it has been ruled out by the UK Government which says such a move would undermine the democratic decision taken by voters in 2016.

Scotland for a People’s Vote campaign leader John Edward also welcomed the announcement.

“The momentum for a People’s Vote is building and the support of council leaders the length and breadth of Scotland is welcome and extremely encouraging,” he said.

“Over the coming days, all MPS must ask themselves: Is the Withdrawal Agreement better than the deal we’ve already got inside the EU?

“If they cannot look their constituents in the eye and say it is, they must vote this deal down and then hand the decision back to the people.”

Nearly 70 per cent of Scots would vote to remain in the EU if a People’s vote was held - a significant rise in support since the 2016 referendum, polling this week showed.

And across Great Britain as a whole, a clear majority (56 per cent) would now vote to remain, an increase from 49 per cent last time, according to research for Best for Britain and HOPE not hate.

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the decision “sends a very powerful message from Scotland’s local authorities”.

She added: “Councils across Scotland are facing huge cuts and the last thing we need is Brexit harming our economy and leading to further austerity, putting more valued services at risk.

“There is an alternative to Theresa May’s bad deal and no deal”