WITH Brexit chaos taking over Westminster, the case for Scottish independence has never been stronger.
"Independence offers the best option for all of us", Ian Blackford told the Commons during the Brexit vote.
He added that every piece of economic analysis that has been published says Brexit will make us poorer and that Westminster "clearly has no interest in what's right for Scotland" if it passes the Brexit deal.
As @theresa_may fails time and again to hold her fractured party together in desperately selfish endeavours ,the rest of us continue to pay the price. It is unthinkable for Labour MP's to be the midwife of a hard Brexit, do not let people down now, do not bow to tory blackmail. pic.twitter.com/Bo5MZm2IvE
— Ian Blackford (@IanBlackfordMP) March 29, 2019
But while he was saying that Westminster has no "right to determine our future to be a European nation", Tory frontbenchers gestured for him to sit down.
This prompted fellow SNP MP Carol Monaghan to stand up and say "the frontbench leader of the SNP has a right to speak in this chamber, same as every other member".
Blackford thanked Monaghan and said "At a time when this house is threatening to take us out of the European Union against our will, I can absolutely guarantee that the voice of Scotland and the voice of Remain will be heard in this chamber and no Conservative MP is going to shut Scotland down."
It isn't the first time Blackford has been treated with contempt by the Tory party. Just a few hours earlier Theresa May walked out as soon as Ian Blackford started to speak.
READ MORE: SNP MPs fuming after PM snubs Ian Blackford in Brexit debate
The SNP's Westminster leader pointed out that the UK Government spent £4 billion on no-deal Brexit preparations – money that should not have been spent – and that leaving without a deal should have been ruled out long ago.
"In conclusion I want to say that I am angry, I am frustrated but I am too deeply saddened that we have reached this point. Imagine how people think up and down the United Kingdom", he said. "They are ashamed of this Parliament ... and embarrassed of British politicis and the laughing stock that we have become in the world".
With a recent poll revealing just 23% of those undecided about Scottish independence believe leaving the EU will be “good for the Scottish economy in the long-term”, it is clear that Brexit is enhancing the indyref2 case.
READ MORE: Scottish independence: Poll finds Brexit is now the biggest factor
Blackford continued: "But I want to say to people watching at home: we in the SNP are embarrassed too. We are appalled at the behaviour of those on the Government benches – and the behaviour of those on the official oppositition benches as well – they have let you down. They have broken Britain and have no idea how to fix it."
Blackford hit out at comments by MPs like Ian Murray of the Labour party who said the SNP needs to respect the vote of the 2014 independence referendum, and therefore "does not speak for Scotland", Blackford said his party does care about the UK.
"Yes the SNP is here to stand up for Scotland ... but we also care about the rest of the United Kingdom, our friends and our neighbours but I deeply question the motives of the Tory and the Labour leadership. The power is in all of our hands. Let us use it."
"End this stalemate. Give certainty back to businesses, assurances to EU workers and let us salvage our bond with our European neighbours. We cannot give up. Take back control and give power back to the people."
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