BREXIT will lead to another vote on Scottish independence, SNP MPs have told the Commons.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab sought to reassure MPs that relations with Brussels were positive during a debate on Brexit negotiations and no-deal contingency planning.
SNP veteran Angus MacNeil told Raab he was pursuing a “scorched earth” policy that would lead to a second independence referendum in the next 12 months.
“It’s one of the reasons Scotland will decide on its independence within the next year,” the Western Isles MP said.
Raab dismissed the claim as evidence of the “SNP obsession” with independence.
“I notice the way he always brings any matter relating to Brexit down to the blinkered, narrow political obsession the SNP has with a referendum on independence,” he said.
“I think actually across all parts of the UK they would like to see us striving to get the best deal that works for all corners of the UK.”
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SNP home affairs spokeswoman Joanna Cherry said the Prime Minister would lose Scotland if she continued on the current path.
The Edinburgh South West MP said: “An opinion poll conducted by Best for Britain showed a majority of Scots favour independence if the UK leaves the EU as planned.
“Is that a risk the minister is willing to take?”
Raab said the plan was for a “strong deal” with the EU that “works for all quarters of the UK and respects the territorial and economic integrity of the UK”.
In the face of growing warnings that time is running out, Raab insisted that agreement with Brussels was “within our grasp” and pledged that the UK “will be ready for Brexit, deal or no deal”.
Raab told MPs that he and other ministers had received “a wide range of positive and constructive feedback” in more than 60 engagements with European counterparts in the weeks since the publication of May’s plan, though he acknowledged that some found elements of the proposals “challenging”.
“I will continue to meet regularly with Michel Barnier, confident that a deal is within our grasp,” he said.
“And if the ambition and pragmatism that we have shown is matched by our EU friends, this House and the British people can rest assured that the UK will be ready for Brexit, deal or no deal.”
There was laughter from some parts of the Commons chamber as Raab said there were “some risks from a no-deal scenario”.
But he told MPs: “While it’s not what we want, a no-deal scenario would bring some countervailing opportunities.
“We would be able to lower tariffs and negotiate and bring into effect new free trade deals straight away.
“There would be the immediate recovery of full legislative and regulatory control, including over immigration policy, and – whilst mindful of our legal obligations – a swifter end to our financial contributions to the EU.”
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