THE SNP will tomorrow launch a bid to stop the Westminster “power grab”. The party’s MPs at Westminster intend to launch an amendment to the Internal Market Bill to prevent it being given a second reading on the grounds that it breaches both international law and the devolution settlement.

The bill has caused widespread anger, with critics claiming it not only contravenes the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU, but also makes a mockery of devolution.

Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP at Westminster, told the Sunday National that it was “an attack on devolution from the UK Government like never before”. “This new bill is a wrecking ball to devolution,” he said. “Animal welfare, food standards, energy – policy areas which are all currently managed by the Scottish Parliament – will now be centralised in Whitehall. Meanwhile, a new, unelected quango – the CMA – will decide on devolved matters while Scotland’s elected representatives can only look on, completely powerless.”

Blackford said the bill would have far-reaching implications.

“For example, the policy of minimum unit pricing – which has helped tackle the human and social cost of Scotland’s problematic relationship with alcohol – would not have been possible under this legislation.”

He said the past few days at Westminster had been “extraordinary”, with the Internal Market Bill hitting the headlines after the UK Government admitted it breaks international law. Blackford said it not only undermined the UK’s obligations to the EU Withdrawal Agreement, it broke domestic law too. “Powers on spending are being given to UK Government ministers in devolved areas, bypassing our democratically elected MSPs and ministers,” he said.

“At Prime Minister’s Questions this week I referred to Boris Johnson and his friends as a parcel o’ rogues. They are creating a rogue state, where the rule of law does not apply. And Scotland will suffer as a result.”

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Blackford said that while the SNP MPs would “rigorously” oppose the bill in the UK Parliament, the only way to defend Scotland’s Parliament and powers is with independence.

“On Friday, a new poll revealed sustained majority support for an independent Scotland at 53%,” he said.

“The Scottish Parliament will consider a new referendum bill before the 2021 election so we can get on with becoming an independent – international law abiding – nation.”

The EU has given the UK three weeks to amend the legislation or face legal action, while Tory rebels, appalled at the implications of the UK breaking international law, are also expected to force amendments to the bill. They are said to be planning to persuade former prime minister Theresa May to front their campaign. The Welsh Government has also protested against the bill on the grounds that it weakens devolution.

Boris Johnson has defended the bill and has called on the EU to withdraw the threats of legal action. He claims the EU has an “extreme” interpretation of the treaty that could jeopardise the UK’s future. The UK Government also denies there is a power grab on devolution.

This has been refuted by Nicola Sturgeon, who has said the Scottish Government would join the SNP at Westminster in a “fierce” resistance of the attack on the powers of the Scottish Parliament, but warned that only independence could properly protect Scottish autonomy.

Her intervention came shortly after she announced that the Scottish Government would be publishing a draft bill before the elections next May, setting out the terms, questions and timing of a second referendum.

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