THE SNP leader at Westminster has hit out at the lack of support the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan has in the House of Commons.
During a rowdy Prime Minister’s Questions, in which Speaker of the House had to intervene many time to restore order, Ian Blackford described Theresa May’s point-blank refusal to consider staying in the single market and customs union as “exasperating”.
Blackford had opened the exchange asking if May had listened to Nicola Sturgeon when the First Minister raised alternatives to her Brexit plan in their recent meeting.
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“At least staying in the single market and the customs union has some support in this place,” said Blackford, his jibe drawing various reactions from around the chamber.
“Mr Speaker, when we look at the report from the UN rapporteur this week,” he continued, “up to a quarter of the people of the United Kingdom are living in poverty – something the DWP also recognises – why doesn’t the Prime Minister recognise the scale of the challenge that Brexit is only going to make worse?”
The Prime Minister could be seen shaking her head at this.
Blackford continued: “Why doesn’t she realise that she has a responsibility to protect jobs and communities in this country. For once, start to listen. Go back to Brussels, recognise that we all have an interest in this, let’s all work together to make sure we protect the interests of people in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Make sure that you go back an negotiate, let’s keep us in the single market and the customs union.”
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May responded in typical fashion, pointing out that the SNP’s position is one that would frustrate the vote of the British people, who voted to leave the European Union.
“He talks about protecting jobs, that’s exactly what the deal we are proposing does, and he talks also about listening – well perhaps the SNP should listen to the people of Scotland who gave a very clear view that Scotland should remain in its most important economic market, the internal market of the United Kingdom.”
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