Holyrood may seek to block post-brexit trade deals, warns Russell
Holyrood could put a brake on post-brexit trade deals struck by the UK if Holyrood is frozen out of negotiations affecting devolved powers, Mike Russell has warned.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution today called for “formal mechanisms” to be adopted which would ensure t h e S c o t t i s h P a r l i a m e n t is involved from the star t in any prospective deals involving countries like the US.
He claimed the Scottish Parl i a me n t i s c u r r e n t l y b e i n g “ignored” on the issue.
“Scotland’s devolved institutions have an important role to play in the negotiation and ratification of international treaties,” he told MSPS yesterday.
“The S cottish Government and the S cottish Parliament should be recognised as equals with the UK government and Parliament in their respective areas of competence - with a presumption of interest and full, formal and early involvement in the process of making international agreements.
“Formal mechanisms must be established to ensure this parliament can carry out this role in scrutinising the mandate, negotiation and implementation of treaties.”
He added that the consent o f t h e S c o t t i s h P a r l i a me n t should be secured before such treaties are entered into.
G r e e n s c o - l e a d e r P a t r i c k H a r v i e s a i d M S P s s h o u l d have the right to make decisions on all devolved matters. The mandate of treaties such as trade deals, impacting on devolved areas, should not be able to proceed without Holyrood’s consent, Mr Harvie said
I n a d d i t i o n a f i n a l t e x t should not be adopted without Holyrood’s approval, he we n t o n , wh i l e t h e P a r l i a - ment should also be allowed to change it’s mind and withdraw consent if the “political balance” changes.
Mr Russell pointed to years of delays and hold-ups in finalising the CETA free trade deal between the EU and Canada after concerns among Belgian and Canadian provinces that their interests were being sidelined.
“T h e r e’s a p r o b l e m i n t h e UK government on the issue of how it looks at trade,” Russell said.
“T h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m , i n s e e k i n g t o e x c l u d e t h e devolved administrations in these matters is cutting off its nose to spite its face and will make it harder to take these issues forward,” he warned.
The Cabinet secretary said it is essential that the UK government recognises Holyrood’s role, adding: “Presently they appear to wish to ignore that - that will be and is utterly unacceptable.”