THE SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford yesterday warned the Tories that his MPs will cause “maximum disruption” to the UK Government’s agenda if it continues to show “contempt” to the people of Scotland and its Parliament.
In his speech to the party conference, he said Theresa May’s administration is on “a reckless mission to trash our economy” and that “self-destructive policies on Brexit, austerity and immigration threaten serious and lasting harm”.
He hit out at the “turmoil and terrifying damage” Brexit will bring to Scotland and made clear SNP MPs swill not vote for any deal that removes the UK from the single market and the customs union.
Blackford said: “Let those in Westminster hear this – if contempt continues to be shown to the people of Scotland and our Parliament, SNP MPs will not hesitate in causing maximum disruption to this Tory Government’s agenda when and where Scotland needs us to.”
He added: “I put the Prime Minister on notice here today – we will not support any deal that threatens Scottish jobs and living standards. The SNP will not cave to ultimatums from the Prime Minister. We will not follow the Tories through any lobby that leads to economic destruction for citizens across Scotland and the UK. We will not sit back and allow Scotland to be dragged out of the single market and customs union against its will.
“When the time comes to vote on the Brexit deal, the only deal we will accept is one that keeps Scotland in the single market and the customs union. Any other deal will sell us short.”
Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss accused Home Secretary Sajid Javid of putting “party political dogma ahead of people’s lives” with his refusal to allow a safe drug injecting room to be set up in the city. Delegates overwhelmingly backed a motion saying the UK Government should either change the law or devolve the necessary powers to Holyrood. Thewliss said: “We have a problem here and we have a solution and the Home Secretary will not let us act to save the lives of vulnerable drug users. It’s an absolute disgrace, it is despicable to put party political dogma ahead of people’s lives.”
Delegates also condemned Westminster’s two-child cap on child tax credit payments, including the impact on kinship carers. MSP Maureen Watt told conference of an Aberdeenshire family that has been hit by the policy. She said: “It is appalling that kinship carers, who have not planned to have a larger family, but have taken on the responsibility, are being punished for providing a loving home.”
There was also support for Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil’s Private Members’ Bill, currently going through Westminster, which would allow the parents of child refugees to come to the UK. The conference backed a resolution calling on the UK Government to take steps to ensure that the Bill can be enacted into UK law without impediment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel